Impact Magazine Issue 243

T C A IMP

ALL GIRLS

TO THE FR ONT

PLUS:

, S L E B RE + S I J O M E S T S I T N SCIE

!

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IMPACT

EDITORIAL Welcome to Impact, the University of Nottingham’s official student magazine. Whether you’re in first year, final year or the weird one(s) in between, now is the perfect time to try something new. Perhaps over summer you’ve discovered your calling is writing, photography or design. Maybe you’ve realised you only have nine months left to make your CV claims of being a ‘dedicated all-rounder’ actually seem legitimate. Whatever it is, if you’re interested, we’d love to have you on board! Just come along to one of our weekly meetings to get started.

Introductions over, what’s in the issue? If you’re a fresher (or if, like me, you wish you were still a fresher and are reliving Welcome Week while you still can), our editors have lots of tips for you. Features reminds us that feeling lonely and overwhelmed during the first few weeks is totally normal and doesn’t foreshadow a year of misery, whilst Film and TV offers an alternative look at Week One with a hefty side of shots (drink responsibly, kids). If all that’s not enough, Comment has invented an entirely new drinking game for you to try: emoji charades. Decide for yourselves whether it’ll catch on...

Whatever your interests, the chances are the majority of you will find yourselves in some kind of club, bar or music venue during the first few weeks of term. As our cover story reveals, despite often going hand-in-hand with an alcohol-induced false sense of security, music venues are not as safe as we would hope or expect. We introduce you to Girls Against - a group, established in 2015, whose ultimate aim is to eradicate gig-groping. As we all know, groping in music venues is still very much a reality. So as freshers take on Welcome Week and we all look forward to a semester of nights out, let’s remember that the clubs we visit are included in that ‘music venue’ bracket. The combined efforts of activists like Girls Against, musicians and even student initiatives like Nottingham Night Owls offer us hope that each night out will feel even safer than the last.

However, the fight isn’t over yet and we all have a part to play in making sure we and the people around us are safe. It’s important not to stay silent on an issue that could affect us all. If we’re all talking about it, our voices will be heard.

TAMSIN PARNELL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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E M OJ I S A l ook at how t i ny p i ct ures are i nf i l t rat i ng our l anguage

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Is i t al l t hat ?

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R OA D T R I P A l ook at how t i ny p i ct ures are i nf i l t rat i ng our l anguage

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Feat uri ng S ci ence C ommuni cat or J ami e Gal l agher

CONTENTS

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T he ba s i c b i t c h e s o f t h e t y p i c a l s t u d e n t p a n t ry

A l ook at how t i ny p i ct ures are i nf i l t rat i ng our l anguage

43 20 A l ook at how t i ny p i ct ures are i nf i l t rat i ng our l anguage A lo o k at h o w t i n y p i c t u re s a re infilt ra t i n g o u r l a n g u a g e

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G I R L S A G A I NST

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A lo o k a t h o w t i n y p i c t u re s a re infilt ra t i n g o u r l a n g u a g e

on the cover

A l ook at how t i ny p i ct ures are i nf i l t rat i ng our l anguage

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A l ook at how t i ny p i ct ures are i nf i l t rat i ng our l anguage

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A lo o k a t h o w t i n y p i c t u re s a re infilt ra t i n g o u r l a n g u a g e

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A l ook at how t i ny p i ct ures are i nf i l t rat i ng our l anguage

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IMPACT

Emojis:

Past or Future?

A look at how tiny pictures are infiltrating our language...

TEXT BEN LEWIS

EMOJIS © APPLE INC.

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In 1922 Howard Carter was surveying the Valley of the Kings when he discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. On arrival, he found oils and perfumes, and picture-like inscriptions on the walls. These were hieroglyphics, small illustrations of common objects, used as the Ancient Egyptian language. One particular combination caught Carter’s eye: that of the Eye of Horus, then a path leading into a tunnel, and lastly representation of the burial of a Pharaoh. Carter enlisted a team of experts from the University of Oxford to translate, and after 3 weeks they came back with the Ancient Egyptian meaning – “I want to be inside your Mummy”.

Leading etymologists concluded that a contemporary reading of these words would have led an Egyptian to think that the author believed Tutankhamun to have a very appealing sarcophagus, and that they wished to have a turn encased in it. However, the intended meaning was actually a far more lewd desire about King Tut’s mother. In ancient Egyptian times the meaning would not have been as obvious so a new form of pictorial language was required to get subtext across.

This new language is of course what we know today as emojis. Emoticons were first used in 1597 when William Shakespeare first published his tragic masterpiece Romeo + Juliet. As typewriters would not appear until decades later and predictive text was still unreliable, he had to write all of his plays out by hand. He eventually tired of writing out “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, if you know what I mean” and “Under love’s heavy burden I do sink, if you know what I mean”. This lead to his invention of the winking face, a semicolon followed by a closing parenthesis. This allowed Shakespeare to, without writing out the subtext every time, make it clear that literally everything that Romeo + Juliet were saying to each other was about fornication.

Being able to do this with two characters saved Shakespeare a huge amount of time, which in turn he used to write the long awaited sequel to his play Eleventh Night.

“The emoji was discovered in 1597 when William Shakespeare first published his tragic masterpiece Romeo + Juliet” Fast-forward to 2016 and emojis have fully infiltrated our language. Many young adults find it difficult to have a conversation by text without ending each sentence with a face sticking its tongue out to the side, for fear of appearing horrendously blunt. Ending a sentence in a real life conversation by sticking your tongue out to the side would be considered rude and crass,

so it is a good thing that the last time two young adults spoke to each other in person was in 2013, when Becky, 14, from Chesterfield, asked her friend Amy if she could borrow her phone charger.

Flicking through the emojis available on an iPhone, you would be forgiven for wondering what some of them are, or when they would be used.

For instance, you can choose between 247 flags, which is slightly baffling given that there are only 196 countries. This does not take into account that some countries have more than one flag, such as each constituent of the United Kingdom having its own flag, and France having both the tricolour and it’s white flag. Is this gluttony of choice evidence that the emoji has just been left to run riot? Well, the plethora of icons does contain many that seem to have no relevance or importance in the real world, of course unless you allow them to. As this is the fresher’s issue, I posit to you a potential drinking game to play when everybody has had enough of Ring of Fire: Emoji Charades (a name which, like this game, has literally just been made up and probably, like this game, could be greatly improved) involves the contestant being given an emoji chosen at random to try and act out to the group. If they fail to portray the essence emoji they have been given accurately, they have to drink.

It sounds simple, and that is because it is. Gone is the arguing over who started the Waterfall, and whether or not ‘4s-whores’ is perpetuating a patriarchal stereotype that is leading to the regress of our society. In its place is the joyous sight of watching someone trying to contort their facial muscles in ways that are barely natural or even possible. It could be argued that the fundamental problem with this drinking game is almost all the emojis are impossible to portray, but then again the aim is to get hammered.

Not looking realistic is not a problem of the humble emoji - they are merely representations used to convey an idea. A cat emoji doesn’t look

“Yes, they may be hundreds of pointless emojis that you don’t know what they mean, but again that’s no different to words” like an actual cat, but it looks like a cat far more than the word ‘cat’ and either way we still get the idea. Emojis are far from killing our language, they are becoming our language. Yes, there may be hundreds of pointless emojis that you don’t know the meaning of, but again that’s no different to words. After all, I would be very impressed if you knew what attacapan, opisthognathidae or rapateaceae meant, unless you were an American Indian Marine Biologist who gardens in their spare time.

There has been recent outcry over new batches of emojis being released, with Justin Bieber creating emojis of himself as well as some rather racy genitalia emojis. Maybe this is a bit too far.

After all, no one really wants to receive an emoji of a human penis, and the genitalia emojis might be distasteful too. Then again, perhaps this is just how the language evolves. I doubt Romeo + Juliet would have many words in it at all if Shakespeare had the genitalia emojis to hand.

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IMPACT

Is it all that?

e h t y did you do last Freshers’? Wh t a n Wh wer doesn’t have to be all that fu s an

TEXT MATTEO EVERETT

Ah, Freshers’ week – a boozy week of parties, ice-breakers, and post-night-out regret (hello, walk of shame) – or so we’ve been told. Well, things aren’t always quite what they seem.

Welcome to the real Freshers’ Week – bursts of fun and excitement occasionally mixed with half-formed feelings of loneliness, doubt, and 9 a.m. introductory lecture dread, which put your “proper mad ones” to an early close. Get used to it – for all its glory, it’s probably best to know from the start that university life isn’t always exactly what it seems.

I must have spent hours over the summer holidays before my first term looking at the Students’ Union website trying to decide which events to take part in and what wasn’t for me. I planned to fill my nights and days to come with a variety of activities, both sober and alcoholic, to ensure my Freshers’ would be a week for the history books.

But while my friends scattered elsewhere around the country had seven days of freedom, late night clubbing and sleeping in, University of Nottingham seemed to do things differently. Looking back at my planner for Freshers’ Week, I feel like I was robbed of a certain rite of passage, the universityprovided timetable getting in the way of what was supposed to be my first week of genuine freedom (and I’ll never forgive the timetable wizards for preventing me from going boating on the lake). In short, my first week included a lot more running around campus frantically trying to be on time for

various registrations and tutor meetings than I had allowed room for in my pre-Freshers’ planner.

And on top of all of this, I also went through the occasional crushing sense of loneliness that somehow makes its way into most of our first weeks. Yes, it’s true, the days whizz by surrounded by new exciting people, memories are made and Instagram photos of large groups of supposedly life-long friends are taken, but the minute you find yourself alone, you might find yourself starting to wonder about your new ‘friends’. Will they ever be as good as my old ones? What would my old friends think about them? Will my old friends even still be my friends when I get back home? Then there are the longdistance relationships, the idea that ‘this is always going to last’, the first doubts, the breakups (and dealing with strangers’ heartbreaks).

Of course, these feelings are not inevitable, and not everyone will experience disillusion to this extent, but it’s probable that many more do than they admit. But however strong your feelings of disappointment, loneliness and alienation may be, in the immortal words of Michael Jackson: “You are not alone”.

That’s not to say that Freshers’ Week is all negative, and some students will inevitably look back at it as one of the best weeks of their university life. We asked around and - shock! the most-enjoyed aspects of Freshers’ were

ARTS

meeting new people, making friends with the aforementioned new people and going out with the now new friends. Themed nights were a big hit too, with one respondent stating that they were “a good opportunity to get to know and have a laugh with new flatmates”.

Whichever way you look at it, Freshers’ is less about the events and more about the person experiencing them. Despite many enjoying club nights out, others complained about the lack of variety of events during thea week. One student didn’t enjoy “the fact that the clubbing sessions were branded as the norm, and anything not involving alcohol was branded as “alternative””.

The respondent felt that “if they were advertised and promoted equally I probably would have done both. I regret not going to the “alternative” events”.

Others pointed out that Freshers’ Week involves a lot of peer pressure to drink too much and have one-night stands. And while some praised the alternative events, even these were criticised for having little diversity, ironically. Events seemed to be either alcohol-focused or specifically non-

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alcohol focused. One respondent said: “I love socialising but hate clubs and so much of it was thoroughly club-focused, or things like ‘Oh board games’” - they wanted to drink but not go to clubs. Some halls did hold more toneddown though not tee-total socials, such as wineand-cheese nights, though these occurred later in term, too late for the initial need for casual icebreakers.

“It is important to just give it time, because things have a tendency to fall into place”

It is inevitable that freshers will occasionally feel out of place. However, it is important to know that this is normal. The most valuable piece of advice ever given to me by a second-year student was that it is important to just give it time, because things have a tendency to fall into place. Like all hyped-up things, Freshers’ Week, and university as a whole, may not live up to your expectations – but if you take them as they are, you might find that they are pretty great, anyway. ‘Cos as we all know in the end everything is going to be alright.

Oh, and by the way: if you don’t like your flatmates, you’ll make friends elsewhere. Trust me.

Throwback to 1915 Back in 1915, during the First World War, the Students’ Union provided a handbook containing a variety of useful notes including some ‘hints’ for freshers...

n sp e

d th n a y onda M n o k “Don’t do a day’s wor ing it” r i m d a k e e w e h t f o t s d the re

en

“If you feel yo u wa garde nt a nurs ery or a n go bear outs ide til l it passes off”

“f you have a n hour or two to spare don’t go I and spend it with a man who hasn’t”

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IMPACT

Once upon

TEXT MATTEO EVERETT + JILL FORSDICK

1968 1964 1959

Prime Minister Harold Wilson opens the new science buildings, marking the completion of Science City

Rutland and Sherwood opens for men; Willoughby for women

Cripps Hall opens

1956

Early 1960s

1965-66

1970

Portland opens and its purpose as a union building with a Students’ Union, bookshop and food outlets has remained through time (although it did lose the fine art gallery)

As word gets out about the high quality education to be gained at UoN, more and more students flock to Nottingham. To house all the eager students, eight new halls along the edge of the Downs are built

Cavendish and Ancaster Halls for women open their doors

The Medical School begins admitting students (the early days are spent in the Cherry Tree Buildings or 'cowsheds')

‌in a faraway k ingd om th

a time...

at g oes b y th

e name of Nottingham

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1973

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1990s

October: a group of students go to Trent for a ‘sitin’ as a result of the ‘student troubles’ prompted by the post-1968 period

2005

School of Biosciences opens on Sutton Bonington Campus, which was originally established as an agricultural college

School of Veterinary Medicine and Science opens on Sutton Bonington Campus.

2000 University of Nottingham opens a branch in Malaysia

1981

1999

2005

Her Majesty the Queen visits the New University Library (named Hallward in 1989) as part of the University’s centenary celebrations

Full of futurist architecture, Jubilee Campus opens

A UoN campus is established in Ningbo, China, and the Malaysian branch moves to its current campus site. UoN acquires King’s Meadow Campus, home of manuscripts and special collections.

In the late 60s – 1860s that is – the locals of Nottingham, at that time already blessed with an Artisans’ Library, (the hipster hangout spot of its time), the Mechanics Institute and, as of 1846, the People’s College for Adult Instruction, began considering the benefits of further education. This sentiment was also fuelled by the collaboration between the Mechanics Institute and the South Kensington’s Department of Science and Art, which arranged for the availability of public lectures.

The good people of Nottingham, inspired by the public lectures and James Stuart’s lecturing tour of the Northern industrial cities, came to the conclusion that maybe some sort of adult education would be beneficial and they decided that they would most like to learn about political economy, science of health, the history of England and English literature. A group of 50-60

men, with the help of £10,000 from an anonymous donor, got to work and started constructions on a new building that would become the University College. In 1877 the then Prime Minister W.E. Gladstone laid the foundation stone on Shakespeare Street, prophesying that it would one day become a university in its own right.

And right he was, as the building is now best known as the Arkwright Building - Nottingham Trent’s gothic Students’ Union building. (Yes, the foundations of Trent are older, but that definitely does not make them wiser).

The College thrived and started offering “extension” classes in 1895/96, providing a wider variety of courses. It also shifted its allegiance from Cambridge to become a constituent college of the University of London. Because classes continued to expand in size and uptake, the College soon got too small and crowded. So it

happened that in 1921 Sir Jesse Boot, Lord Trent, made the move that would forever influence the history of UoN. His generous donation of 35 acres of land allowed the College to move to the site that we now know and love as ‘University Park Campus’. Legend has it that Sir Boot attached some conditions to his donation, such as the need for a night out for all students after which no official examinations were allowed to be held – now known as ‘7 Legged’.

Initially, all classes were held inside the Trent building, which also housed a museum, library and private rooms, but as the demand for education grew, so did the campus. In 1948, the University, which had humble origins, was granted its Royal Charter, and the hopes of Gladstone and many others were fulfilled. The rest, as they say, is history, all neatly shown for you on the timeline above!

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IMPACT

grand canyon “Extravagant is probably a good word to use here. Las Vegas is extravagant. The buildings, the decor, THE FOOD, the views. It’s an odd place, a city in the middle of the desert, with a fake Venice and fake Sphinx. Although once you get past this oddness (and slight tackiness) it’s a great place to be!”

las vegas

14 – 29 JULY

© GOOGLE

san francisco

TEXT + IMAGES DANIEL NORMAN

Mum thought it’d be a good idea to walk to the bridge, then across it and then to Sausalito on the other side - most people do this by bike - because it was like a 10 MILE walk!! The bright red bridge poking out the fog made it worth the hike, as did the burger we had on the other side!

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death valley “Las Vegas did big buildings; Yosemite does big rocks. The US continues to go large. As always the photos will never do the views justice. We experienced Yosemite in the most touristy way possible - an open top tour bus voiced by the wackiest American tour guide park ranger, who fed us stories on the history and geology of the park – in addition to her own life story...”

yosemite

Extracts from a travel diary – read more at thatissoradical.tumblr.com

los angeles big sur We heard over radio there were a group of humpback whales nearby, so we ventured further out into the bay to find them.

Around four or five whales would surface and dive, flicking their tails as they did so – one even rolled over for us!

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TRAVEL

TEXT DALE CLARIDGE

IMAGES DENNIS JARVIS (FLICKR)

The two faces of Bulgaria Bulgaria has a lot to offer - from serene mountain tops over cheap bars to harrowing evidence of a past of struggle and occupation, you will experience it all. As soon as I arrived in Sofia, I was already confronted with its conflicted identity.

The trip into the vibrant city centre requires a drive through an industrial area littered with panelki, horrible Soviet era tower blocks but once you have made it through, the sight of all so familiar restaurants, bars and shops seemed almost surreal. This is where my journey started: standing outside the University of Sofia, a beautiful building reminiscent of a grand university like Trinity College Dublin, within minutes of the equally stunning St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the national theatre.

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is one of the oldest settlements in the world, founded around 7000 BCE, and has the historical attractions to prove it. Within metres of Roman ruins is the ‘triangle of tolerance’, sincerely yet ironically named due to the cluster of a synagogue, a Catholic cathedral, an orthodox church, and a mosque.

Ruins, mosques, statues, epithets and museums are key attractions in many of the major Bulgarian cities as testimonies to their struggles against and occupations under the Romans, the Byzantines and the Ottoman before finally gaining independence; a short lived independence in which the country was harassed and submitted to the Axis forces and eventually, allied with the USSR under a Socialist regime. Fortunately this makes for a cornucopia of tourist attractions and a truly beautiful, yet harrowing cultural legacy.

Although Plovdiv is only around 150 km from Sofia, to get the train from the national train station is to take a step back in time, from a British perspective. Compartments, chatty travellers and people running up and down the train flogging items (I bought a pen) is initially very charming. It is not until the short distance starts to consume hours upon

hours that one gains a newfound appreciation for modern trains. Plovdiv shares a similar cultural legacy with Sofia but has a slightly more beautiful old market town, largely intact amphitheatre and unknowable Roman ruins that cannot be exuviated without removing half of the town.

From Plovdiv we hitched a ride to the Rila monastery (sadly public transport is still lacking in Bulgaria), tucked away high in the mountains (legend has it that God himself chose this particular spot for the monastery). Although the Balkans sets a high bar for natural attractions, Bulgaria comes well equipped to compete. Sofia sits in the shadow of Vitosha which hosts not only beautiful mountain walks, but also a number of points from which the city below is visible in all its greatness.

Bulgaria, which is warm in the summer in the way the UK can only dream of, is coated by a beautiful blanket of snow in the winter. The mountain range Rila has a ski resort and the ski lift provides a shortcut and staggering sights as it dangles you along the valley.

At the high end of the lift, you can walk higher into the mountains, past all 7 lakes. To get to the high point, we walked through a sweltering summer’s day and, despite the heat, past snow. The spot at the top, from which all 7 lakes are visible, is a place of unbelievable beauty and well worth the hike.

Having the good fortune to stay with a Bulgarian family, I was treated every day to typical Bulgarian food. A salty diet of Salami, cheese, mussels, Tarator (a refreshing, cold, creamy cucumber soup laced with herbs and breadcrumbs) and Shkembe chorba (a creamy soup with boiled tripe, consisting of herbs seasoned with garlic and spice. According to my host under no circumstances should this be too watery).

Fortunately, the Balkans is not overrun with tourists and I can only recommend a visit to this beautiful, serene country and not just for its cheap booze and food.

SCIENCE

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TEXT LUKE NORMAN

Survival Software

The Rock Clock (IOS and Android) Do you struggle to get up for 9am lectures?

Would you like to wake up to the voice of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? Then you need The Rock Clock! Gone are the days of conventional beeping alarms that have a large and inviting snooze button. The Rock Clock does not have a snooze option and instead plays louder and louder until you switch it off. As well as setting their own time to wake up, users can also choose “Rock Time” which is the time The Rock wakes up himself. This is set by him each day, is usually between 4 and 6am and is designed so you can complete a project early in the morning before the day properly starts. The alarm tones available are fantastic, ranging from The Rock’s rendition of Good Morning Sunshine to him saying the word “beep” repetitively and reminding alarm users that “he can do this all day”. If there is one phrase that will wake you in a morning, it’s “get your candy ass out of bed”. If all those amazing features weren’t enough, when you wake up with The Rock, you get a “good morning” video from him, usually with some celebrity guests (ones featuring Kevin Hart are particularly brilliant).

RefME: Referencing Made Easy (IOS and Android) Essays, research papers and journals. These are just some of the ways you may be examined whilst at university and if there’s one thing that all students agree on, it’s that referencing is the hardest and most boring part! But with this fantastically simple app, the days of writing out authors, journals and publishers are over. RefME can scan a book’s barcode and immediately generate a reference from the 7000 styles it offers (including Harvard). If you don’t have the book handy or you’re using a journal, then all you need is an ISBN or even the title of the paper to get an instant reference. Finally, it saves all of your references to an e-bibliography which can be ordered and saved to your device.

Impact Magazine (IOS and Android) It’s here! All the latest news and features straight to your mobile phone. The Impact Magazine app offers users the opportunity to view the very popular “Editor’s Choice” on the home screen and then scroll through the content of each section. The app is beautifully themed yellow and black to highlight the logo and gives an identity to the app which is very recognisable. It runs very smoothly and offers very quick access to any sections - gone are the days of scrolling to reach the Science section! The navigation bar also helps users reach their favourite sections very quickly. Even the logo is great and stands out as an important app on any phone that will make your friends ask about it, and then wonder why they don’t have it. If there is one app that will help you survive your year at UoN, it has to be the Impact App!

Synonym: Shortcuts to productivity, because we’re all just that lazy

My Study Life (IOS and Android) University life can be hard to keep track of. Essay deadlines, exams and lecture timetables can easily get lost and that’s not even taking into consideration any sports or societies you may be a part of. My Study Life is a multi-task planner that can organise your life on and off campus. It allows the creation of task lists sorted by priority, your timetable to be uploaded to ease scheduling and also factors in week rotations as well. For coursework and exams, it lets you order them by due date and you can update each piece with percentage completed to monitor progress throughout the academic year.

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IMPACT

We interviewed a scientist...

Featuring Science Communicator Jamie Gallagher

Science outreach is usually thought of as going into schools and trying to show kids how “cool” science is, but it is so much more than that. Science outreach can stem from teaching in classrooms all the way to presenting at huge science festivals (such as New Scientist Live).

The general public loves hearing about new technological advances as well new health cures and as a science communicator, all of this is at your fingertips. Popular scientific communicators such as Prof. Brian Cox do have their specialist areas of science, but alongside their love for research and exploring the secrets of the universe, they also enjoy communicating all branches of science.

TEXT LUKE NORMAN IMAGES ????

Jamie Gallagher is a Public Engagement Officer at the University of Glasgow. He was chosen as one the “175 faces of chemistry” and was the winner of the prestigious 3-minute thesis competition. We chatted with Jamie to get his insights into the career and to hear about how he got into science in the first place.

SCIENCE

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HOW IMPORTANT IS SCIENCE OUTREACH NOWADAYS? Outreach and Engagement is becoming increasingly important to researchers.

Universities and funders are asking researchers to take their work out of the lab to foster real change outside of the research environment. Working in publicly funded institutes, we have a duty to share what we do and show how powerful and useful it is. Often in doing so we gain new skills, knowledge or access to experience ourselves – engagement is a mutually beneficial process.

WHAT DOES BEING A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OFFICER MEAN? I’m no longer research active - I’m a full time officer which means I work to help researchers share their work outside of the University. I do lots of training, consultation and event planning. My current remit is to “embed a culture of engagement around research”.

“Why not jump in at the deep end and volunteer, and see how fun the world of science is?”

WHAT FIRST INSPIRED YOU INTO SCIENCE? I was a very curious child. I wanted to know how everything worked and I would test my toys until destruction.I would dismantle and tinker with anything I could get my hands on. So I never felt that I was inspired to do science, it was just that I never lost my curiosity (though watching a lot of Star Trek as a kid and wanting to be Spock or Data also helped!)Did you have a scientific hero growing up? Spock, Data and certainly David Attenborough. I watched a lot of television growing up.

WHAT ABOUT SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH DO YOU LIKE THE MOST? I suspect that the animals caught my attention at a young age rather than the presenter, but

David Attenborough has a slow and lyrical way of speaking that almost invites you into his secret world. I was always hooked. As far as a stand out series [goes], I thought Life in the Undergrowth was extraordinary [in] highlighting the amazing wonders that we ignore day today.Do you have a favourite area of science? At various times I’ve been called a physicist, a chemist and an engineer (even a biologist once on TV but that was a mistake!).

I’ve always been drawn to materials science though and believe that the most interesting areas of research are where the disciplines overlap.

WHAT ASPECTS OF MATERIALS SCIENCE DRAWS YOU BACK TO IT? Materials science is a wonderful area. It is fast developing and its potential hasn’t been fully explored yet, so that is exciting. It also appeals to my way of thinking, developing orderly crystalline materials and frameworks and analysis through electron microscopes and using the properties of the atoms to uncover the secrets of the material. It is very beautiful and amazing!

YOU WERE NAMED ONE OF THE “175 FACES OF CHEMISTRY”. HOW MUCH DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU? This was a huge honour for me. For the Royal Society of Chemistry to think my work worthy of recognition is incredible. It isn’t about them saying I’m anything special but saying “we recognise the importance of outreach and the effort that goes into it”. It also showcases the diversity of the people and careers behind chemistry.

“I never felt that I was inspired to do science, it was just that I never lost my curiosity” WHICH METHODS OF OUTREACH DO YOU THINK APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC THE MOST? I think science outreach is most appealing when it isn’t science outreach. If we try to talk to people about science there will always be barriers and it is our job to work around them.

We need to ask ourselves who the people are that we want to reach and what they currently engage with. What activities are they part of?

Where do they go? What do they read? Then we work to integrate with their world and their interests. Don’t invite people to be part of your world, ask if you can be part of theirs.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE THINKING OF GOING INTO A CAREER IN SCIENCE OUTREACH? When starting out you need to seize and create opportunities. Discover what you like and what you don’t, then play to your strengths. It is also important to ask yourself “why am I doing this?”, have clear aims and objectives for each new venture and make sure you achieve them. Science outreach is a really fun way to engage the public on new discoveries and can be done in a variety of ways. So next time you see an upcoming science festival or demonstration, why not jump in at the deep end and volunteer, and see how fun the world of science is?

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IMPACT

TEXT SOPHIE MILLAR + MATT YATES

To err is only human...

Let’s talk about robots and the dooming obsolescence of humans This is the year 2016, self-driving cars are just around the corner, virtual reality is no longer a thing confined to sci-fi movies and hoverboards are now a possibility, rather than fantasy.

But then why is our image of scientists so out of date? If you picture the image of a scientist in your mind, 9 out of 10 people will probably conjure up the image of a crazy Doc Brown/Einstein character running up and down an old dusty laboratory whilst pouring various coloured liquids into different shaped glass containers which randomly smoke or explode. But this is 2016, science hasn’t looked like this for around 50 years!

When science is discussed as an entire concept, the audience needs to be made aware that although there are different disciplines in science and all of their sub-genres, there are also many ways of performing science – mainly research, industry and healthcare. In research, the aim is to find out new things, and to do this, often new and difficult techniques need to be thought up and used. This is mainly a human process with the help of a few machines such as thermocyclers and detection equipment. However, in healthcare, there is such a need for accuracy and precision to perform tests that have already been thoroughly researched and optimised - a lot of this process involves simple tasks and has been adapted to be automated.

Although humans have some advantages over machines, such as our ability to think and adapt, when it comes to repetitive motions like pipetting an accurate volume of a sample into an accurate volume of substrate, machines have beaten us every time.

Humans have to be paid to work, sleep and take breaks and can make errors even when they are trying hard not to. They can make their own shortcuts and even lie about doing things one way when they haven’t. All of these things can lead to errors in the lab environment and produce poor results. Machines do not, and although once upon a time the industry was put off by the hefty start-up costs of buying machines, now a lot of automation is leased free with a service contract, making automation more affordable than ever, and more reliable than human staff.

So is automation a new, recent thing? Far from it. In fact, the first laboratory automation machine was developed in the 1950s, which allowed for the analysis and throughput of 20 samples at a time, which was much faster than any manual processes at the time. Throughput of lab samples continues to grow as more clinicians rely heavier on lab results for diagnosis, monitoring and treatment (modern machines have a throughput of 2000 samples per hour), and automation now exists in more ways than originally thought, with machines in charge of sample sorting and storage. The growth of automation has also led to the growth of laboratory information management systems which help to control the lab machines, find samples and order and report test results.

In the future, it is envisaged that all parts of pathology laboratories will be automated and linked together in one big system controlled from a central hub, and automation will strive into areas of research, where routine, time consuming work such as cell culture could be automated.

SCIENCE

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TEXT LUKE NORMAN

The Theory of Visitivity The National Space Centre – Leicester

The top sciencey places to visit in Nottingham and the East Midlands

Industrial Museum – Wollaton

Green’s Mill and Science Centre – Nottingham

Situated just behind the iconic Wollaton Hall, Nottingham Industrial Museum has one of the most exceptional collections of steam and diesel engines in the UK. The collection includes lace machines, old cars and motorbikes as well as lots of other mechanical matters. Steaming Sundays occur on the last Sunday of every month and is when all of the steam engines are turned on to showcase their power.

If you have ever looked at the science and engineering library on campus and wondered “who is George Green?”, then you might be interested in a trip to his famous windmill in Nottingham to find out! George Green was a renowned mathematical physicist who came up with a formula called Green’s Theorem, but a lesser known fact about him is that his dad built a working windmill for the family bakery business.

At the mill you can visit the science centre, read all about the fascinating story of the Green family and even buy a bag of organic flour produced here.

The National Space Centre in Leicester is home to the UK’s largest planetarium named after the late Sir Patrick Moore and also is home to a 42m tall Rocket Tower. Here you can learn all about the secrets of the universe and get access to a range of different exhibitions and spacecraft. As well as all of this, they also have various film screenings including Aliens on 29th October.

BaaBar – Nottingham City Centre After a hard day in the lab, what could be better than a nice refreshing cocktail? BaaBar prides itself in offering chemistry themed cocktails served in conical flasks, beakers and even test-tubes! What’s even better is some of the cocktails come with smoke bubbling out of the top, making it look like a real experiment is going on. A favourite among people is the “Zombie”, a luminous green cocktail flavoured with gingerbread and passionfruit amongst other great additions. BaaBar is the perfect bar for any science enthusiast!

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IMPACT

Right here, we’re going to help you get your kitchen sorted so that you can fend off malnutrition and prevent the dreaded freshers’ 15.From a survey, taken by students in housing and selfcatered accommodation,a we have compiled a guide of what to stock your kitchen cupboard with.

FOOD

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TEXT JAKE TENN ILLUSTRATION INDIA ROSE MEADE

The basic bitches of the pantry

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IMPACT

Better than just toast TEXT JAKE TENN

Cooking with a microwave Quiche Get your trusty mug out and crack ONE EGG into it as well as 2 tablespoons of MILK. Top up with one teaspoon of MELTED BUTTER and whisk it all up.

Add 2 tablespoons of GRATED CHEESE, a pinch of SALT AND PEPPER, and half a teaspoon of MIXED HERBS. Mix it up once more until it is one smooth liquid. Place 3 halved CHERRY TOMATOES and 2 slices of roughly CHOPPED HAM on top and off it goes into the microwave.

Cook for one minute and dig in.

For those in catered accommodation, we have collected some recipes that will only require a kettle, microwave and toaster at your mercy. For those lucky enough to call a kitchen your own(-ish), we have some proper stuff to impress your housemates’ and your own palate.

Added bonus: all of these are designed to be doable with and without a hangover!

Nutella mug cake:

Chilaquiles

For this recipe you will need less than a barista requires to make a Long Island Iced Tea. Get a mug and a fork and whisk up ONE EGG. Then add 3 TABLESPOONS OF NUTELLA, the same quantity of SELF-RAISING FLOUR and a pinch of salt before mixing all ingredients together thoroughly.

Now add a SPLASH OF MILK and stir like crazy - you’re aiming for a thick liquid that oozes off the fork. Whack this in the microwave and turn it up for about a minute and a half (enough time to clean your fork and surfaces because you are the kind of hall-mate that is considerate...). If the mixture is about to overflow, turn off the microwave until the mixture settles, then resume. Eat while hot, ideally in your PJs listening to Radiohead.

Grease the inside of your mug (cooking spray or butter – whatever is about) and place a handful of slightly CRUSHED TORTILLA CHIPS at the bottom.

In a separate bowl/your hallmate’s mug, whisk up 2 EGGS. Add 3 tablespoons of SALSA, 2 tablespoons of CHEESE, 1 tablespoon of SWEET CORN, a pinch of DRIED CORIANDER and HOT SAUCE, SALT AND PEPPER to taste. Pour your mix over the tortilla chips. Place your mug in the microwave and let it spin 'round for 3 minutes. Finish your mugged chilaquiles off with 2 tablespoons of CHEESE. There you have it: a delicious, cheesy and easy peasy chilaquiles for those Saturday mornings that just need quick carbs to soak up the remaining Ocean booze.

FOOD

My trusty egg fried rice (2-3 portions worth) Roll up your sleeves, this is a good one. Tried and tested many a time, I can guarantee it works!

Prepare 180g of BASMATI RICE (about a mugfull) by running tap water over it until the water stops being cloudy, then add to the saucepan. Boil slightly more than an equivalent amount of water and add. Start stiring that shit. Heat the pan to boiling point, then turn the heat low and cover the pan. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the water has been completely absorbed. Fluff the rice with a fork before transferring the rice to a bowl to cool. Dice one MEDIUM SIZED ONION and one CLOVE OF GARLIC. Sweat them in a pan with sunflower oil at a low heat until the onions are translucent. Add 2 tablespoons of WHITE WINE VINEGAR, then 2 tablespoons of SOY SAUCE. Whisk 2 EGGS and add 1 teaspoon of WHITE PEPPER. Then add this mixture to the pan with the onions and stir briefly before adding the cool basmati rice and stirring thoroughly. Season to taste with soy sauce and white pepper. Get creative with this - try adding leftover meat from previous meals or maybe even chilli pepper. This is your opportunity to go crazy with it.

Cooking with … all the utensils?

Vegetable curry (about 3 portions worth): Grab a large saucepan, add enough olive oil to thinly cover the base of it and set to medium/low heat. Throw in 1 large and DICED ONION and 2 CRUSHED CLOVES GARLIC. Stir it regularly to ensure all is cooked evenly. Quarter 50g of CHERRY TOMATOES and add to the pan with about 2 teaspoons of WHOLE CUMIN SEEDS and 2 teaspoons of TURMERIC. Keep the contents of the pan moving regularly for about 10 minutes. Drain a can of CHICKPEAS and crush them slightly with a blunt object. Finely slice 1-2 medium heat CHILLI PEPPERS (keep the seeds if you are feeling extra hot and fiery) and add both to the pan along with a drizzle of WHITE WINE VINEGAR. Add a tablespoon of HONEY, 30g of CREAMED COCONUT and a SPLASH OF WATER (about 20 ml). Then cover the saucepan and stir occasionally for 20 minutes or until the chickpeas have softened. Remove the cover and do the same for a further 10 minutes to reduce the curry. While you wait for the curry to go gooey and perfect, prepare 180g of BASMATI RICE as before. Turn your attention back to the curry and add zest and JUICE OF HALF A LEMON, then stir before topping it with a drizzle of NATURAL YOGHURT. Season to taste with SALT AND PEPPER. Then add two teaspoons of TURMERIC, GROUND CORIANDER and GROUND CUMIN, before finally adding 100g of FRESH SPINACH. Once the spinach has wilted, serve the curry with the rice. There you have it: a delicious and easy vegetarian curry that will put even your favourite takeaway to shame.

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IMPACT

Man,

have

I

environmen e h T tally c “ onsci stude ous nts de finitely want more”

got

a

As students, most of us are on a tight budget when it comes to food (alcohol is a different story, but let’s ignore that). Despite this, we are a generation who appear to be caring more and more about the quality of our food and where it comes from, although we may at times be sorely tempted by cheaper and perhaps not so ethical produce (hello, caged hen eggs). With supermarkets such as Waitrose and Booths - that’s the northern version of Waitrose to all you Southerners - selling more local, organic and high quality produce, it has become much easier to buy your food whilst keeping your morals intact.

This, however, does not come cheaply. For example, a Waitrose Free Range British whole chicken would set

TEXT RUTH PENGELLY

scoop you back £11.14, which is quite pricey considering you can buy a whole chicken from Tesco for as little as £2.50 if you ignore the ominous lack of any description of the bird’s origin. One could argue that this is the main issue – it is simply too expensive to buy these organic, high quality and ethical products. However, there may be a partial solution right here on campus. We had the pleasure of an exclusive interview with Rachel BlissettLyne, President of University Park SCoop, about her society and how it can help us achieve our aim of being a more responsible and moral consumer. Here’s the scoop (puntastic)...

for

you!

FOOD

COULD YOU GIVE ME AND THE IMPACT READERS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF WHAT YOUR SOCIETY DOES AND WHEN IT WAS SET UP? The student food coop (SCoop) was brought to UoN via Sutton Bonington, where the first SCoop was set up a couple of years ago by Lisa Gertson. It was last year that they investigated branching out and set one up at UP. Some third years took on this role, and UP SCoop started trading around April last year. We are a student-led volunteer group which sells organic, fair-trade, crueltyfree produce at cost-value (we charge the bare minimum, covering costs alone).

WHAT IS THE AIM OF YOUR SOCIETY? HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR SOCIETY BENEFITS STUDENTS? The aim is to provide students with an alternative to supermarkets, but on a much smaller scale. We understand that students are becoming more aware of where their food is coming from, the additives that go into the products, and how this can affect suppliers and small-scale farmers. We are trying to project a positive and more ethical choice to students. Food ethics and the environment are intertwined and we feel it’s important that students are offered a choice in what and who they support when it comes to goods. We feel SCoop can benefit the students firstly by offering cheap, high-quality goods. The products we sell usually get marked up by up to 50% by retailers. We can supply students with good products without that price tag. In addition to this, we want to educate students on the impact of our work: who it helps and what our ethos is.

“The products we sell usually get marked up by up to 50% by retailers” YOU MENTION EDUCATING THE STUDENTS ON THE IMPACT OF YOUR WORK. WHAT IMPACT HAVE YOU OBSERVED SO FAR? It’s still a work in progress as UP SCoop is still young, but we have seen a consistent group of loyal customers who come back weekly to buy from us. We have also had more people come to volunteer with us after they became aware of what it is we are offering and supporting. I

think the biggest impact is shown by the support of our customers or the people that stop, ask about us, and say “we need to see more of this”.

SO YOU HAVE SEEN A DEMAND FOR FOOD WHICH IS ETHICAL, ORGANIC AND HIGH QUALITY? WHICH WHOLESALERS DO YOU FIND FILL THIS CRITERIA? Absolutely, especially when we can supply it at cost value. The environmentally conscious students definitely want more. We get all our produce from Suma which work under a cooperative system and provide us with nearly all our goods. They are always more than willing to get any additional information we need, but all of their goods come with a named country of origin. We are hoping to branch out in other suppliers beyond Suma in the next year but whilst in our infancy we are just working with Suma.

WHAT SORT OF SUMA PRODUCTS DO YOU SELL? DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE IN TERMS OF EXPANDING YOUR PRODUCTS? We mainly work with dry goods or things that can be preserved as we currently don’t have the space to sell fresh or refrigerated goods. Our stock includes pulses, seeds, pasta, jars of peanut butter, chocolate spread, chocolate, coffee, snacks and many other things. We really want to expand into non-food items in the coming year, which includes toiletries and cleaning products.

Personally I really want to get eggs on the list - Sutton Bonington eggs are the best so I am currently trying to find a way of getting them here at University Park. Oh and also veg boxes! But again, we need to find a supplier and suss out the demand before we invest.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED WITH SCOOP? SCoop offers any new student a platform to expand and be creative. As we are relatively young, we encourage new students to volunteer with us. We would love help running the shop, finding new ways to do outreach, promotion, financial running and business aspects of the cooperative.

We also want to collaborate with other similar groups and societies so even if you can’t help with SCoop, we would love to hear from other societies that would like to work with us in events. You can find us on Facebook, twitter or on the SU website. SCoop sets up shop in Portland every Tuesday and Thursday 12-2pm at the moment, but this may change so watch this space!

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IMPACT

DIRECTION + PHOTOGRAPHY CLAIRE SEAH

MAKEUP GRACIE PATTENDEN

MODELS ALISON JORDAN + HARRY PAVLOU

Modern Classics

All accessories, Alison’s own

“A woman has to live her life, or live to repent not having lived it.”

– D.H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley’s Lover

The classic literary characters of Dorian Gray and Lady Chatterley get their complex personalities re-interpreted through makeup. In this shoot, we were interested in bringing out the mental and emotional rather than physical states of both of these characters.

“What the eye doesn't see and the mind doesn't know, doesn't exist.”

– D.H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley’s Lover

STYLE

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“You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit.”

– Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

“I don’t want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them.”

– Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

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IMPACT

INTERVIEWER CLAIRE SEAH

Music is My Motive Talking to the founder and owner of Nottingham’s men’s streetwear brand Mimm

Located in the labyrinth of streets housing quirkiness and style that is Hockley, you will find Mimm Clothing, a men’s streetwear brand with an incredible selection of clothes for all the guys on campus. We sat down to chat with its owner, Nathaniel, about his brand, how he has managed to come this far and his hopes for the future of Mimm.

STYLE WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO OPEN MIMM CLOTHING? The funny thing is Mimm stands for “Music is my motive” and so the motivation for opening the shop was based on the fact that I promoted nights and I noticed there wasn’t a shop that catered specifically for people who enjoyed underground music, in terms of the clothes that such people wanted. I feel that these people generally were those who were interested in exploring different genres that weren’t mainstream and this same mindset tends to be the approach they have to clothes as well. Previously, it was hard to find shops that suited such individuals and that’s why I opened Mimm.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF HOW MIMM DEVELOPED FROM AN IDEA TO A PHYSICAL STORE? Well, after coming up with the idea I went through the Prince’s Trust. Basically, they give you a four day business course, after which you draw up a business plan and take it to a sort of Dragon’s Den panel who then assess the plan and give you a sum of money they see fit for your idea. We started with only £2,000, which is not much to start a clothing shop. So the way we tackled this was that we brought a lot of other different independents’ [products] into the shop, which filled out the rails and was also the catalyst for creating it as a community-type shop. If we had a larger capital, I probably would have only focused on products under the Mimm label, but because we took a collaborative approach, it enabled us to create a sort of community hub. We built a family in Nottingham for independent designers which then evolved into supporting other creatives like artists and musicians.

brands we carried stopped making clothes and so some brands have come and gone, but we still have 2 brands in the shop which we have carried since the beginning. Both are locally based independent brands. The main focus right now is our own brand - the Mimm brand, which we started somewhere between six to twelve months ago. We realised that whenever we bought a shirt out under the Mimm brand, it would sell out immediately because the customers coming in through the door want to buy a product which represents the shop and what it stands for, and they want something that has Nottingham affiliations to it as well.

Aside from that, the first brand we ever carried was a brand called Imaginary Foundation which made very artistic, graphical tees that sold like hot cakes. We then brought in another brand called Accomplice which was a brand we carried for nearly five years that always does collaborations with different artists. With the Accomplice pieces we have in the shop right now, they’ve worked with an artist called David Flores who manipulates the faces of famous people like Keith Haring and prints them on the clothes. They usually collaborate with artists who create work that bridges the gap between art and music, so it represents what Mimm is about as well.

But I think the priority over the next few years is definitely developing the Mimm brand though we do have a few other brands lined up that we hope to sell in store, since we now have the opportunity to bring in bigger brands. One of the brands we want to bring into the shop is HUF, which is a brand that you see everywhere, but we want to bring it into the shop because it’s a brand that people recognise and it will encourage them to come through the door to explore the other products we carry as well.

COULD YOU TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOURSELF - WAS THERE A POINT IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU SUDDENLY REALISED YOU WANTED TO OPEN A SHOP LIKE MIMM? It all started when I was 16 when I was working in a shop in Hockley, called 2AD. It had a similar concept where you’d find brands which no one else had, and he [the owner] was the first person to bring brands like LRG and Crooks & Castles, which can be considered as mainstream brands now, but at the time, which was the start of the streetwear boom, in the early 2000s, he was the pioneer in introducing those brands to the local community. That experience was part of the inspiration for me to realise that I wanted to open an independent shop when I was older. He then moved away to another town and I thought to myself that since there was now a gap in the market, I should use the opportunity to start something similar.

DO YOU ONLY CARRY MENSWEAR OR ARE THERE CLOTHES LADIES CAN COME IN AND PURCHASE AS WELL? Unfortunately, we don’t have any womenswear at this point. We used to stock Lazy Oaf, which was started by a Nottingham Trent student, and since they do both a male and female line, we carried some of the female pieces from them, but we’ve let it go now because it was quite expensive and it didn’t sell as well as any of the men’s items. It’s a shame and all my female friends are always nagging at me about needing to cater for women as well, so eventually, as the Mimm brand grows, we might move into designing some womenswear but we’ll have to wait and see.

WHAT HAS CHANGED IN TERMS OF THE SORT OF CLOTHES YOU CARRY AND YOUR VIEWS ON OPERATING AN INDEPENDENT SHOP? We still stock a selective amount of independent products from Nottingham. As the business progressed, many of the initial

SINCE YOUR PRIORITY IS THE MIMM BRAND, WHAT SORT OF PERSON DO YOU HAVE IN MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF THE MIMM BRAND, WHAT SORT OF INDIVIDUAL IS THE BRAND MEANT TO CATER TO? Our slogan is ‘For the independent mind’ and so I would say that the people we cater to

27 are those who want to buy from independent brands, who don’t necessarily only want to shop from high street brands, who want to show their individuality or wear something that is against the grain of what bigger fashion corporations represent. Whether that is somebody who is just fresh out of college or someone who is retired doesn’t matter.

We always get such a broad range of people coming into the shop. When we first started, because our shop was on Canning Circus, we were very student-focused. Now that we are in Hockley, that’s changed and we’ve built stronger ties with the wider Nottingham community and so the main thing that our customers share is that they are people who are willing to seek out something new and different.

FINAL QUESTION, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT HAPPENS IN THE DESIGNING PROCESS FOR THE MIMM BRAND? We always start each collection with a concept. For example, the last collection was the ‘Mindset Collection’ and we produced different designs in different languages meant to create a positive effect. So, we had the Mimm logo top, which had the word ‘love’ in Arabic on it, then we had ‘the world is yours’ and ‘family’ in Mandarin on another top and ‘kick some knowledge’ with a drawing of the god of knowledge and wisdom, Ganes,h on it. The phrase was a reference to hip hop and on the front, in Hindi, it read ‘knowledge is power’. Over the next two years, this is the same approach we will take with all our collections and we’ve already developed many of these concepts that we want to make into collections for Mimm. The concepts come from me sitting down and thinking about what inspires me.

The next collection is about chess and kings, so a lot of the designs are going to be based on the King logo in chess and reference various things like a famous photo of RZA and GZA of the Wu-Tang clan playing chess, who also have a track called ‘chess boxing’.

There’s also a movie called Fresh, which also heavily features chess and we’ve taken inspiration from the plot in the movie for the collection as well.

Mimm Clothing is located on 13 Broad St, Nottingham NG1 3AJ

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New term!

New trends!

IMPACT

For her Leather Whip Stitch Shopper Bag - Topshop

Unfortunately, every student needs something to carry around their endless piles of reading. Without a doubt, this leather shopper bag will be up to the hefty task.

Satin Longline Bomber PrettyLittleThing

STYLIST JO GRIMWOOD

A twist on the traditional bomber jacket, which Nottingham students are well accustomed to, the longline bomber is going to be a staple piece this Autumn/ Winter.

Boxy Top Warehouse

A black top always comes in handy. Whether you are heading to lectures or popping into town, pair with jeans of any colour - no fuss!

Adidas Stan Smith Originals - Urban Outfitters

Make a statement with your shoes.

Adidas are quickly overtaking Nike as the biggest seller of trainers as their classic Stan Smiths make a comeback. Perfect for nights out and the mornings after.

Cropped Embroidered Jeans - Zara

These Zara jeans combine two very current trends: frayed hems and embroidered florals. They are the perfect way to liven up a simple lecture outfit.

ARTS

For him

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Small budget, big closet dreams: the dilemma most students will face. To ensure your lecture outfits will still be on point, we have sourced the

Hype Backpack Foot Asylum It will carry your books and laptop. University work sorted.

Adidas ZX Flux ADV Asymmetric Footlocker

Hooded Long Parka Urban Outfitters

A spin on the classic, these Adidas ZX Flux add a nice detail to a modest pair of jeans. Portland and Stealth approved!

Being in a country that is famous for its rainy weather, it is always a good idea to be prepared for the inevitable. This hooded parka will ensure you stay somewhat dry on that long walk from the bus stop to Hallward!

Ripped Stretch Slim Jeans Topman

Ripped jeans are showing no sign of going out of fashion anytime soon. Pair with a longline shirt or sweatshirt for a look worthy of the lecture theatre or Stealth.

Longline Sweatshirt Topman

Lower hemlines are the emerging trend for men this season and will have the added bonus of versatility; they go well with both short and long outerwear.

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IMPACT

G.B.

V.M

PHOTOGRAPHS BY

VIRGINIA MOORE

V.M

V.M

EXPOSURE

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G.B.

V.M

& GEMMA BROWN G.B.

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GAMING

TEXT ANTHONY OSMASTON + TOM EVANS

I’m a gamer in Nottingham…

The start of term: a chance for anyone and everyone to explore their interests and try any of the societies the University of Nottingham has to offer. Certainly it’s possible to take up something new at any point in the year, but there’s something about the fresh and welcoming start of the first week. Whether you’re a fresher, returning student or an exchange student, the upcoming year is one filled with endless possibilities, not only academically but also for exploring your interests and meeting with other students who share your passion.

If those interests include being a gamer, Nottingham has a treasure trove of experiences waiting for you. GameSoc, the University society based around video games, is one such experience not to be missed. At GameSoc you can play a wide array of platforms, for example PC, Xbox 360 , WiiU & 3DS, at one of the weekly meet ups they provide. They also provide socials from trips to the pub, to LaserQuest and bowling, which are well worth going to. GameSoc even provides the opportunity to experience competitive play, entering tournaments such as the NUEL (National University Esports League), allowing you to either create your own team or try out for an existing team.

Playing outside of GameSoc can be just as rewarding. Our student body has a large gaming contingent, who are a joy to socialise with and a thrill to play against.

As a fresher, unofficial FIFA sessions are an excellent way to really get to know some new, like minded people. Throwing

a games night is a great alternative to a night out, for when you feel like a cheaper, quieter, (less next-day destroying) social occasion.

Places on campus aren’t the only gamehavens to enjoy. Nottingham City is home to The National Videogame Arcade. With an impressive collection of exhibitions, event spaces and a licensed bar, your visits here will involve meeting many people who love video games just as much as you do. Whether looking around, competing in tournaments or attending Super Mario themed musicals, you can guarantee the experience will be unique.

The NVA is a boon to Nottingham, especially for anyone interested in gaming.

Each year the NVA hosts the GameCity festival, which takes place across the whole City of Nottingham. GameCity is not only a fantastic celebration of videogames but also a great place to see new indie games showcased by the developers themselves. Last year’s also featured speeches, some impressive virtual reality technology and much more.

We as students living in Nottingham are really spoiled with different opportunities and places to enjoy our gaming hobby.

There you have it: being a gamer in Nottingham is not just incredibly social but will give you access to exciting competitive opportunities to explore all there is to offer in the world of online gaming. So, get dug in and join us on the virtual side.

YOUR ADVERT HERE

So you want to advertise in Impact?

Then get in touch with us at advertising@impactnottingham.com

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IMPACT

TEXT ANTHONY OSMASTON + TOM EVANS

What type of gamer are you?

I self identify as a social speed running butterfly troll...

The field of gaming is unique in that although many of us identify as a gamer, how we approach games and the type of game we play is fundamentally different.

As humans we feel the need to categorise everything we do, and to give into these primal desires we’ve outlined the major types that gamers categorise into.

Where do you fit on these scales?

fly

l Butter

. Socia Wolf Vs

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Lone

GAMING

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Loremaster vs. Speedrunner narrative of a game. Part The loremasters delve into the able wiki contributor. If prob ian, librar part r, nture adve find yourself playing RPG ably prob you’re a loremaster you as Dragon Age or The such s serie e) Gam ng Playi (Role quench the narrative can game any Witcher, but almost as a loremaster may ifying Ident . aster lorem the of thirst at a snail’s pace, reading involve crawling through the world every Dishonored NPC ing stalk , book me in-ga every ing to every Bioshock (Non Playable Character) and listen themselves in the world, ses emer aster lorem A ding. recor storytelling and always savouring each rich portion of the by the ‘bad’ ending on a ed follow g, endin ’ ‘good the picks second playthrough. speedrunners experience In contrast to the loremaster, completed at breakneck their games purely as a test to be attractive sideshows to best at are speed. Art and plot obstacles set before you. the main rush of defeating the s such as Dishonored game lete Speedrunners will comp maybe a single day. If end, week a in te Infini ock Biosh and sprinting thrillseeker, gue dialo ing, you’re a cutscene skipp er than a loremaster. perhaps you’re more of a speedrunn selves: ones who them s form two in Speedrunners come riencing a game quickly in expe time short vely relati a d spen and expert speedrunners a condensed single playthrough, games of choice over their er mast and ise pract who drun setters perfect spee d recor World hundreds of hours. it loopholes. Depending jumps, discover glitches and explo when you’re playing, time free on the genre or your both a loremaster and a being elf yours find t migh you speedrunner for different games.

Paragon of Vir tu Vs. Bridge Inte ousness rnet Troll

The Paragon of Virtuousness is everything you would want in a teammate. Ca lm, level headed and sensible, the Paragon puts as ide any persona differences to l remain objectiv e in the game Whether it’s de . fending an oppre ssed or keeping the team working together, you ca n guarantee tha the Paragon will t side with reason above all else. In contrast, the Bri dge Internet Troll will do everything and anything wit hin his power to get a reaction; flaming everyone and anyone is his forté, hoping to gleam a reaction to further fuel his inner hatred of the world. The troll wil l never listen to rea son, and never make a reasoned response, letting anger and hatred control his every word and actio n. Team-killing, typing in all caps in /all chat, griefi ng, destroying immersion in a game are all pa rt of his repertoir Trolls feed off rea e: ctions and revel in the anarchy the create. y Most of us wis h that we were a Paragon of Virtousness all of the time, but no body can deny the appeal of the Troll. After all we are humans, and humans get angry , and sometimes ruining someone else’s day is just plain fun, especia lly with the veil of anonymity. After all, games such as Eve Online are based around thi s concept… With the tagline “Build your dreams, wr eck theirs” acco mpanying the lat expansion. est We all approach things differently, which is part of the beauty of gaming . The online cultu re is so diverse and so filled wit h paragons, tro lls, speedrunners loremasters, bu , tterflies and wo lves that we oft get confused ab en out which side we belong on, whether we shou or ld be picking a sid e at all. Fact of the matter is, the re is a part of all of the above in all of us. It’s nothing to be ashamed ab out.

Game on!

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TEXT EMILY HARBOTTLE

The 13 rules of the drunken 10 13 drinking game rules for 10 movies for 5 days of 1st week - Enjoy!

Chick flicks Day 1: Mean Girls So you’ve turned up on your first day, scared, excited and apprehensive. This is the perfect film to make you laugh and to put any worries about being the new girl at rest for a while. With any luck you won’t meet girls like Regina George here at Nottingham, but at least you’ll be prepared if you do. American High School isn’t too dissimilar from University with the different groups of people you spy around campus (watch out for those fuckboys in trackies, ladies) and the sexual tension hanging in the air, but without the bitchiness that epitomises this film.

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Day 3: 10 Things I Hate About You With any luck, all the people you’ve met, you already love and have sworn to be best friends with forever. However, there might be that one person you dislike intensely, despite the underlying spark of attraction. This is an iconic film, with the beautiful Heath Ledger, and it might just give you some guidance on how to deal with your blossoming love for Charles from across the corridor while simultaneously hating his guts at the same time.

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Day 2: Friends With Benefits You survived your first day, but you might have woken up in a stranger’s bed, or (shock horror) your next door neighbour’s bed. There’s no need to fear, however, because as Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake demonstrate, sex with a friend need not be awkward and can actually work out quite well for you (providing you want to fall in love with Charles from across the corridor). Offers a good laugh, some sweet moments and takes your mind off any homesickness you may be feeling.

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the valuable life lessons about shoes, sex and dating in the mine-field that is University beyond Freshers’ Week.

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Day 5: When Harry Met Sally This is an ultimate classic, and will chart the friendships, relationships and love that (may) develop throughout your time at Uni and beyond.

Accidental sex, long-lasting friendships and awkwardness may plague you, but there’s no doubt that by the time you leave, you’ll have lifelong friendships and perhaps a lover who makes your life that little bit more special.

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Day 4: Sex and The City By now, you’ll probably have formed your ‘squad’ and have sworn to be BFFS 4 LYF so this is an appropriate film to cement your love for one another. Whether you’re the Carrie or the Miranda of your group, Sex and the City will teach you

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Drink whe

n:

– Character s have sex - to combat silence or hy the awkward sterical gigg les (grow up people!)

– Character s kiss - to fo rget the fact is kissing yo that no-one u right now – There are tears - ‘cos there’s a ne sadness in to w cure for wn and it is tequila...

– Someone laughs - (Rea lly?! That is may need to a rule? You rewatch all of these after… ) – A characte r tells someo ne they ‘like cute and aw them’ - ‘cos kward and th at took balls probably a sh y’all (and ot of somethi ng in the high 40%) – Someone says ‘I love you’ - #loved rinks – The squad walks in form ation - (try to one that is ou find the t of sync - th ere’s always one)

– Girls go sh opping - wor d of advice: a lack of so don’t mix briety and on line shopping really needs . No one that light up hula hoop rin g...

– Someone pops their ch erry (down yo you are drin ur drink if king Amaret to, ‘cos wha t a baller!)

– You are fa cing down th e barrel of a see one in th gun (or just e distance) – Someone

dies - don’t

forget to rais

e your glass – Someone gets shot - th ey deserve a if that is how triple drink they die (see rules 10 and 11) – You can’ t remember a character’s Shame on yo name u (down your drink if they just died)

Dick flicks Day 1: American Pie

Day 3: Die Hard

You’ve turned up, checked out the birds on your corridor and now you’re ready for some beer with your new lads. If you’re the Kevin of your new squad then you’d better get looking for your Vicky before the year is over. Gets you right in the mood for some bed-hopping and the motivation to lose your virginity quick. (Or just never eat pie - no euphemism here, you dirty mind!)

If you’ve been out every night this week, you’ll probably be wanting to die at this stage. However, if you’re proper hardcore like Bruce Willis you’ll be okay. Nice way of taking your mind off of your hangover and to get caught up in the action of the film.

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Drunk Rating: ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ (Bonus Star when Bruce Willis isn’t wearing shoes)

Day 2: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off You’ve woken up after your first night at Uni and now have to face your responsibilities. Perhaps you’ve got a course lecture or a meeting with your personal tutor to get to. Never mind all that, do a Ferris and skive off, chill in Caroline from next door’s bed that little bit longer. Your parents aren’t around to tell you off and the lecturers don’t care, so you can enjoy your new freedom while watching Ferris’ truancy from school.

(Disclaimer: Don’t actually skip first week lectures: that shit is important. Also, what better way to size up the competition/hotties?)

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Day 4: Pulp Fiction

Day 5: Fight Club

A proper classic, and reminiscent of how you’re feeling about the 3 days you’ve just got through – you can’t remember which order they go in, everything is jumbled and full of people whose names you’ve forgotten.

Your last day of Freshers’: you’ve made it this far and hopefully you haven’t fallen into a life of crime or killed any of your new mates. This film is a classic and a good way to round off your first week here at Nottingham. A bit of sex to get the pulses racing and an exciting ending.

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TEXT EMILY HARBOTTLE

Does Cinderella belong in a pumpkin carriage?

With Disney Live Action on the up, we look at whether it can beat a good old classic animation

In 2015, Disney released its first live action remake of the classic, Cinderella. The film was a huge success, with the famous faces of Lily James, Helena Bonham-Carter and Richard Madden embodying the characters of Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming respectively.

With the Jungle Book re-make released earlier this year and Beauty and The Beast set to follow soon, it’s clear that Disney is enthusiastic in its re-modelling of the original animation. However, can live action really beat the infamous animation Disney films?

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Kids (little girls like me in particular) all across the world grew up watching Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White and The Little Mermaid amongst others, wore the princess dresses and met the characters in Disneyland and part of the magic was the distance created between audience and character through its animation.

Live action films are successful because of their use of famous faces (or voices in the case of Jungle Book) and the clever use of CGI which creates a sense of realism for the audience. Rumours are swirling about remakes of The Little Mermaid, Mulan, Aladdin, Mary Poppins and 101 Dalmatians. While it would be amazing to watch the newer versions of said titles, with famous faces embodying the characters we know and love so dearly, a part of me feels that the classics will be lost with the advent of newer, flashier films.

Part of the charm about films such as WinnieThe-Pooh and Peter Pan was their simplicity, slight detachment from reality and their embodiment of Walt Disney’s personal touch.

Nonetheless, Peter Pan is an example of a film that has been re-made plenty of times, more often than not using real people and CGI, and has been a huge success. In fact, I myself have watched the 2003 live action version of Peter Pan more than the original Disney version. Likewise, Mary Poppins used real actors and was an instant hit and a timeless classic. This, however, raises the question of whether it is the fame of the actors that makes these films a success. If Lily James weren’t playing Cinderella, would it have been as good? If Julie Andrews weren’t playing Mary Poppins would it have gone down in history as a classic? Time will tell whether the newer version of Mary Poppins is as good without Andrews, and with Emma Watson playing Belle, Beauty and the Beast is more than likely to garner success with her legion of fans from her days as Hermione.

With a modern take on these films, their messages and their stories are inevitably changed to fit the audience they are playing towards. There was a slight feeling of malcontent amongst our team with regards to the the enormity of King Louie, a sizeable difference when compared to the original animation, and the change from a male voice of Kaa to Scarlett Johansson in the newer version cements the inevitable change from the original. Cinderella caused a problem with regards to James’ miniscule waist size, an issue that epitomises 21st century attitudes towards female bodies, something that probably wouldn’t have been provoked by the original animation.

Films about princesses who are saved by their male counterparts and who dream of an easy life in a castle is inevitably going to cause tension in today’s society which is arguably more feminist and equality driven than it was in the fifties. Nevertheless, with a change in society and film-making, comes changes that have to be made with regards to the approach of a Disney classic. Furthermore, we can be sure that Disney will always focus on animation due to their connection with Pixar and their creation of films such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo and of course, Frozen.

Whether Frozen would have been as successful performed by human actresses is a debate for another time!

Ultimately, there is no concluding answer as to whether Live Action Disney remakes are better than the original as it all comes down to personal preference. Today’s children will undoubtedly watch both the originals and the newer versions, and we can hope that the live action films can help portray positive body images and morals for young girls and boys growing up in our society. Not everyone will agree with me, but on the whole I prefer the original animation Disney from my childhood. Plus, I prefer the cute little voices and characterisation of Gus and Jaq from the original Cinderella animation, because, after all, who wants to see creepy CGI mice in a cute Disney fairytale?

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TEXT NICOLAS CABALLERO

Changing Channels The changing Narrative in Television

Many years ago, when The Simpsons seasons had still to gain double digits, there was a clear distinction between television and film, especially when it came to the narrative.

Now when we think of TV, most of us think something along the lines of Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, or even Peaky Blinders. Detailed, attention grabbing narratives, that require the viewer to truly exercise his memory in order to follow the multiple plotlines taking place.

But before we were spoiled by complex stories in TV like those of The Sopranos or The Wire - which hailed us into what many consider The Golden Age of Television - many shows could scarcely rely on the viewer’s memory for its premise. In fact, some relied on the forgetfulness of the viewer, such as the aforementioned The Simpsons.

If you think of any of the 80s or 90s series that you watch on Netflix when you don’t quite feel like doing coursework, you might have picked up how seemingly a lot of the action occurs in the same two or three places, even when it doesn’t make a lot of sense - just think Friends and Central Perk. Of course, this is a feature of television that hasn’t completely gone away as many sitcoms still film with recyclable sets due to budget restrictions, but we can safely say this was more prominent in the series of the past.

What does this mean for the narrative? Well, not only is

it restricted by the sets but the tempo of the narrative seems to move quicker than in movies, which had fewer set restrictions and were therefore able to include different scenes.

Is this still true? For a large number of productions, the answer is a resounding no. Many large scale ongoing TV shows (like Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad) actually have slower pace in their narratives than film. This is because many times they receive larger budgets across their run than most movies, which allows them to be unburdened from set restrictions and make full use of their long overall run. The narrative becomes more complex and takes a slower time to develop as a consequence.

Ok, so studios have learned to ease off on their budget restrictions, but what about the run time of the episodes? In the past, TV series used to rely on Accelerated Exposition and Redundancy to combat the time gap between often weekly episodes.

Accelerated Exposition means that every plotline must be established, unambiguously within the first few minutes of the episode. This is a natural result of the short run-time and sporadic viewing of audiences, which trigger the need to have mostly self-contained storylines (at most a couple of episodes) that need to be established within a short

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period of time. This doesn’t mean all shows take the same route, but if we compare to modern times, many more shows used to follow a self-contained formula with quick exposition a couple of decades ago than they do now.

started rolling out streaming versions of their shows (like HBO did with HBOGO). It is easier, and certainly more enjoyable, to follow the thread of a show this way, hence a big majority of TV series are going in this direction.

But to allow for this rapid exposition, and also to make up for the viewer’s loss of interest during commercial breaks, TV shows often employ redundancy. This means the central premise of the series, as well as the narrative is presented over and over, either through dialogue (like many soap operas use ‘gossip’ to detail parts of the plot), through “previously seen” or even simply through the characters’ mannerisms. This is again a natural result of the sporadic nature of viewers.

In conclusion, with TV narratives evolving so differently due to different factors, and abandoning characteristic tropes to become more fleshed out, slow paced stories, it truly is an exciting time to be a TV fan. We, the viewers, have so much to gain from this, as stories become increasingly more complex and the full benefits of TV can be exploited (like the longer overall run time of a series compared to film).

Movies are becoming less populated, with recent years hitting the lowest returns since 1995 for Hollywood, and it is my opinion that much of this comes as a consequence of people being satisfied with entertainment by television as film loses its place as a quality colossus. We are changing our medium of entertainment, young people particularly.

We are changing channels.

But nowadays it is clear to see that this has changed. Often times even the most basic of TV shows benefits from longer exposition and a continuous plot. Redundancy is much less common (with soap operas being one notable exception) and fewer and fewer shows are employing “Previously seen” sections.

Why is this? Quite simply it is because viewer tendencies have changed. Mostly led by the rise of online streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and others.

Many networks are also starting to realise the potential in allowing for binge watching at one’s own leisure and have

Regardless, old TV shows with their characteristic tropes, which hopefully you can now analyse a bit better, will always be enjoyable. Like a reliable episode of The Nanny, they never fail to put a smile on your face.

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TEXT NICOLAS CABALLERO

ILLUSTRATIONS TOM WATCHORN

The 18:30 show at...

The holidays are earlier than you expect, and whether you’re staying in the UK or going abroad, here are some unique experiences to feed your inner cinephile

Film on the Rocks (Denver, Colorado, United States): Ah, the dream of the American summer. A couple of frozen beers, enjoying great scenery…and delighting in some sweet entertainment in the meantime. Well every year this is exactly what Pepsi offers for a number of dates during the summer at the Red Rock Amphitheatre. Not only are you treated to a classic, timeless, and fantastic film, but every showing is preceded by a concert and a stand-up performance by a local comedian. You just kick back and relax, sunbathe, and enjoy the clear skies.

Nomad Cinema (London, UK): One of the beautiful things about cinema is how it incorporates so many other forms of art into itself (music, photography, etc.). As technology improves, our experience becomes increasingly more immersive - just think how 3D revolutionised our movie-going experience. But what if we could add another layer to our moviegoing adventure? If we could be enchanted not only by what appears on screen but also by our surroundings? This was the idea of the Nomad Cinema in London. It’s an organisation dedicated to arranging outdoor movie experiences throughout the city in different locations that seem tailored to each specific film. Whether it is watching Hitchcock’s The Birds at the Brompton cemetery or The Jungle Book in Bushy Park, it is certainly worth immersing yourself in the world you are enjoying through film.

Sol Cinema (Various locations around the UK): Do you love movies? Are you concerned with the energy wasted globally to power huge cinema chains? Well, you’re probably a bit odd but you’ll sure enjoy the moving Sol Cinema, based around locations in the UK. A small carriage fitting 4 or 5 of your closest friends, with professional service and fitted with a red carpet. In here you will be treated to a small LED screen powered fully by solar panels. The Sol Cinema is considered the smallest in the world, and although it will only show short films, it is a unique cinematic experience worth having if you’re ever around one of its many locations. Catch them in Yorkshire in October and Lancaster in November.

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Dromana Drive-In (Melbourne, Australia):

Orange Cinema (Beijing, China):

Most of us are too young to remember, but we’ve all heard of the famous drive-in cinemas.

They were a chance to watch movies without the hassle of trying to find a seat. Well in Melbourne you can still relive the experience in the Dromana Drive-In. Not only is it fun for you and a carload of friends, but it is also educational as this particular drive-in is one of the oldest ever and is now heritage-listed. Bring a pillow.

Everyone has at least once showed up to a cinema, confident that they did not need popcorn, drinks or any smuggled snacks from Sainsbury’s, before realising halfway through an Avengers action sequence that they are actually starving or dying of thirst. In the time it takes the cinema worker to fill your cup of coke, you may well be missing out on some intense fights and witty stabs at Thor. Well if you’re ever in Beijing, that doesn’t have to be the case. Fitted with luscious sofas, blankets, and pillows, and in a stunningly arranged, small private room of no more than 31 people, the Orange Cinema Club offers a top of the line experience. To top it off, this is all wrapped together by an excellent butler service on hand to bring drinks, snacks, and to cater to your every need. The arrangement is straight out of the mind of designer Robert Majkut, and is definitely on the expensive side, but is well worth the money if you truly feel like treating yo’ self.

Buda Bed Cinema (Budapest, Hungary): While you rummage your way through this historical city, it is understandable that your feet may tire and all you want to do is go back to the hotel and lay on your bed for hours. Shame though, because you were really looking forward to catching a movie at the cinema later in the night. Well fear no more, Buda Bed Cinema is the place for you. The Buda Entertainment and gastronomic centre is part of a remodelling program of an empty shopping centre. It is home to the Buda Bed cinema, one of the few cinemas around the world that will let you enjoy a movie on the comfort of a mattress and surrounded by comfortable pillows. Truly worth checking out just for the experience, but try not to fall asleep!

The Fox Theatre (Detroit, United States): If you’re American, your grandparents may have told you stories about how in their time they went to the movies in huge movie palaces, filled with luxurious architecture and seating for thousands of people. Unfortunately, those days are over and there are few surviving movie palaces. However, the largest and most impressive one, The Fox Theatre, is still a landmark in the motor city of Detroit. Housing more than 5000 guests, with an initial opening in 1928, it went through a rough period but was completely restored in 1988 back to its original, luxurious setting. It’s worth going and wondering what in the world happened to make us switch from that to small over-crowded rooms with sticky floors.

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Impact Introduces: Melo-Zed INTERVIEWER JOSHUA OGUNMOKUN IMAGE ?????????

We talked to young producer Melo-Zed about becoming an adult and where his music might take him next

Ady Suleiman talks about his upcoming album, his thoughts on ghost writing and his heritage.

MUSIC It’s 10pm in Lenton and Melo-Zed, producer and recent UoN graduate, does not seem bothered that I just interrupted his movie. I am catching up with him in the limbo period between his final submission and results day to discuss his EP, his time at Nottingham and his performance at Tate Britain. Traffic still blaring through the window, we sat down in his Lenton bedroom and started talking.

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certain few that I definitely want and it’s just narrowing that search down. So it’s coming… yeah, it’s coming”.

Much like many other musicians, in a day and age where everyone is a music critic, Melo-Zed aims to avoid getting boxed in. “I saw a lot of other producers getting boxed into a certain type of genre that was convenient, but at the same time it doesn’t give a lot of freedom for varied expression”. MeloZed knows there is a lot more to him than what he came up doing and now that he has all his equipment and has honed his skills, we can expect to see him experimenting with new stuff. “I want to express that stuff. And obviously I didn’t even start with beats, I started with guitar - that was the first thing I ever did musically so for me to ignore that would be foolish. But for a long time when I only had GarageBand, I didn’t have the facilities to even plug my guitar in and record it so I had to stick to samples and drum breaks and that kind of taught me that side of things. Now I’m learning the more live element of things.

So now I’m combining the elements”.

“It’s like you’ve got all this time to do what you’re saying you’ve wanted to do for so long and now you just have to do it”

After three years of having to balance a student-music lifestyle, Melo-Zed is truly ready to move on. Most students will, at one point or another, struggle to prioritise 9am lectures and essay deadlines, but for the young producer it has been a particularly difficult challenge. “When you feel that one thing on the uni side is going your way, time is being taken away from the music side [and vice versa]. It’s all or nothing pretty much, so getting the balance is very difficult. But you have to just be aware of the fact that at the end of the day, you’re here to do uni [work]”. Melo-Zed seems excited for his next chapter in life, despite the fact that ‘adulting’ is something that still intimidates him. This is something he shares with his equally talented friends Louis VI from OthaSoul and producer fwdslxsh. Just like him, they are recent graduates and are trying to “do their thing”, as Melo-Zed puts it. It is a scary thought that after having “all this time to do what you’re saying you’ve wanted to do for so long, now you just have to do it”.

“Obviously they [Louis VI and fwdslxsh] were saying that perhaps having something else to do could help my creativity where I’m not just solely doing music - maybe having a job or some sort of a small thing where I’m doing that and then go home and do music. Rather than just sitting at home, because you can waste a lot of hours.

I’ve been free from Uni for the last two weeks and I’ve done very little music.

Obviously I need to motivate myself but at the same time I feel like it’s a big step, bigger than people think. But I’m motivated”.

In addition to his E,P Melo-Zed has a lot of collaborative work in the pipelines including an EP with Cyprell and a project with his label Huh What and Where. ”There might be some stuff coming up with Huh What and Where but I’m not really sure about the details of that right now… There’s also the Darker than Wax compilation with G-shock - I’ve got a track on there. They’re releasing a watch with G-shock and they’re going to put all the tunes on the compilation on a memory stick with the watch that comes as a kind of package which is kind of cool”.

“I saw a lot of other producers getting boxed in maybe to a certain type of genre that was convenient but at the same time it doesn’t give a lot of freedom for varied expression”

Fears aside, Melo-Zed, whilst less frequent with uploads this year, has something up his sleeve with the upcoming EP he has been working on for a long time now. He confesses that there have been a fair few times that he thought it was done but he continues to keep on adding things, editing, changing stuff, making more than enough songs and cutting down. “I’m so precious about it”, is how he puts it. “It’s just been a long process and I feel like I’m getting to the point now where it’s becoming clear that there’s a

As well as being an accomplished producer, Melo-Zed is also a talented DJ with mixes on COZY MAG as well as a Boiler Room set and a set on Rinse FM. His latest performance was at Tate Britain for a Late at Tate as a response to Winifred Nicholson’s work. Late at Tate aims to bridge the gap between the young generation and older people. “I was playing very ambient stuff sometimes… the crowd was very receptive to that because it was a very artsy crowd, so I feel like it was cool”.

Despite already having made himself known in the industry, Melo-Zed is only getting started, that much is evident. I am looking forward to what this young producer and artist has in store for us next.

Check out the full interview on our website www. impactnottingham.com.

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TEXT JACOB BANKS + MADDY HAY

Justin Bieber’s latest album had a lot to offer. Nobody is denying that. But, if you’re curious about what sort of music might lie beyond the Ocean/Crisis juggernaut, you needn’t go it alone. We are here to guide you – the music enthusiast - into the depths of Nottingham’s thriving music scene. Sit back, relax and enjoy the read. Then get up, go out and enjoy the records.

The Chameleon Arts Café Hidden above Card Zone off Market Square, The Chameleon is a key fixture in Nottingham’s thriving unsigned scene. It’s often headlined by local bands, including the likes of Cheshire and the Cat. It’s an intimate venue - if full there’s hardly room to swing a cat. The addition of a separate bar space on the café floor is genius.

What will I hear? Unsigned music of all genres, from glam metal to ska, indie, pop, and acoustic.

It’s a proving ground of original and exciting talent.

Jam Café Based in Hockley, JamCafé is a small, interesting gig venue and café. It has craft lager on tap, and a corner stage shared by local talent and professional touring groups alike; from jazz aficionados Polar Bear to Jake Bugg.

What will I hear? Sticking to interesting groups and bands, JamCafé’s usual selection of musical talent caters mostly to a jazz and funk audience, as well as progressive, experimental and ambient guitar bands and acoustic performers. As long as the music is interesting and unique, JamCafé is the place to be.

What won’t I hear? Rock, metal and punk is rarely featured on the bill at JamCafé, though I define that loosely - fusion is featured from time to time.

Who will I meet? Locals, hipsters and music lovers are those who frequent the Café, and those after an interesting watering hole, offering the best of European beer.

What won’t I hear? Due to space constraints, it’s unlikely you’ll find a full orchestra playing. Other than that, anything goes!

Who will I meet? The Chameleon attracts a lot of locals. It’s very much for those who enjoy supporting unsigned live music, and just fans of music in general.

Pressure @ Rescue Rooms Pressure is one of those special places where it’s not uncommon for punters to be able to sing along to three or four songs in a row. With a stylishly decorated bar, wellfurnished outdoor area and all-round merry atmosphere, Tuesdays wouldn’t be the same without Pressure.

What will I hear? Allow your inner indie-teen to run free amongst the unadulterated sounds of noughties-era Strokes

and Bombay Bicycle Club. Older stuff is interspersed with the more current croonings of Foals and Tame Impala. There’s also a hip-hop room upstairs which will satisfy your Beyoncé cravings and provide generous helpings of Kanye and Kendrick Lamar.

What won’t I hear? Something you’ve never heard before.

Who will I meet? The people you met at last week’s Pressure.

With free entry and 2 for 1 drinks, it’s difficult to avoid becoming a regular Pressure-goer. Accept your fate.

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Bopp @ The Bowery Club Hosting two club nights a week (‘Black Milk’ on a Tuesday and the hidden gem ‘Bopp’ on a Friday), The Bowery Club has a diverse and fun-loving clientele.

Be warned: this club is easy to miss.

Head to Fletcher Gate and it’s nestled between Das Kino and The Cross Keys.

Once you’ve found it, be prepared to boogie into the small hours with two floors of fun and dancing.

What will I hear? ‘Bopp’ is an alternative music night offering classic motown, blues, funk and soul on the lower floor, and a variety of indie and pop rock upstairs – it is a night designed to get you moving!

What won’t I hear? If you’re looking for the Top 40 or a chance to get your mosh on, you’ll be bitterly disappointed.

Who will I meet? Anyone and everyone.

Mostly, a diverse group of younger people, usually under 30, all with one thing in common: a love of music with a groove.

Various nights @ Bodega In addition to being an exceptionally well-booked gig venue, Bodega is easily one of Nottingham’s most beloved bars. Hosting a plethora of weekly, fortnightly, monthly and one-off club nights, it’s rare that you won’t find something to tempt your ear at Bodega.

What will I hear? It depends which day you go. Most frequented by (glitter-coated) students is surely the alternative music night, Hockney, which runs every other Thursday.

Friday nights are dominated by Bodega’s Pop Confessional – it’s

the self-proclaimed “king of the crowd-pleaser”. Been up to no good? Come clean in PopCon’s very own confession box, which comes complete with a vodkawielding priest. Truthfully, you’d be hard-pressed not to find a single night that appeals – Soul, Pop-punk, Metal and Rock, film soundtracks, underground music – we’re spoilt for choice.

‘Hey! Hey! Hey!’ @ Rock City

What won’t I hear? If you stick around for a whole week, very little.

Self-branded ‘The UK’s Best Live Venue and Club’, you’ve probably already heard of Rock City. ‘Hey! Hey! Hey!’ is Nottingham’s staple Rock and Metal night, every Saturday, with three rooms of varying music.

Who will I meet? You’ll encounter a healthy mix of students, under 30s, actual grown-ups and, of course, the music cognoscenti of Nottingham (the cog-Notts-centi, if you will…).

What will I hear? Rock, metal, punk, ‘cores’, plus a glorious cheese room for glam and disco classics. If you watched Kerrang or Scuzz in the noughties, this is the club night of your dreams: System of a Down, Green Day, Tenacious D, they’re all here.

What won’t I hear? There is no pop, no swing, jazz or indie; it is for rock (including its subgenres) and rock only, with a side order of cheese.

Who will I meet? Punks, Metalheads, Goths, Emos, Alts, Scene Kids, as well as a good number of locals. Take heavy duty footwear - platform boots hurt if you’re in pumps!

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S L R I LG

AL TEXT MADDY HAY

TO THE

We talked to Riot-Grrrl Sara Marcus about the women who fight groping at gigs

FRONT!

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groping, the very For those who have never experienced unsolicited somewhat outrageous. idea of its existence within live music must seem and their fans, but A gig is a shared experience, between musicians of live music should also among fellow audience members. The watching and of reciprocal inspire a sense of community, of uninhibited joy s mind at a agig good will. The last thing that should be on one’ unwanted sexual is the notion that they may be forced to fend off Nonetheless, this sor t of grotesque behaviour is startl ingly common.

Anti-harassment gro up Girls Against carried out a sur vey which asked 1,500 respondents whether they had been sexually assaul ted at a gig. A staggering 45% said yes. Of these, 85% were under eighte en.

These figures expose an ugly reality.

Sexual harassment is illegal. It’s also degrading, hum iliating, and unacceptable. Girls Against, set up in 2015, descri bes itself as “a group of intersect ional feminists standing up against sexual harassment and assault within live music”. GA’s ultimate aim is to eradicate giggroping altogether.

To achieve this, they contact gig ven ues to ensure that necessary securi ty measures are in place. They’re extremely active on social media; GA regularly answer questions on Twitte r or Tumblr, offering support or advice to those affected by harass ment. They are currently in the proces s of appointing representatives in order to extend their reach.

A fascinating parall el can be drawn between the work of Girls Against and the Riot-G rrrl DIY feminist/punk mov ement of the early 90s.

RiotGrrrl created a nec essary platform for female musicians and spawne d many hugely influential bands

including Bratmobile and SleaterKinney. Like GA, a primary concern gig-safety. was Riot-Grrrls for Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill famously demanded “all girls to the front” at her shows, both to prevent harassment and to enable women to feel powerful within a setting that had previously been dominated by men.

“A fascinating parallel can be drawn between the work of Girls Against and the Riot-Grrrl DIY feminist/ punk movement of the early 90s” To gain a better insight, I spoke to Sara Marcus, real-life Riot-Grrrl and author of Riot-Grrrl chronicle Girls to the Front. She explained that Riot-Grrrl “felt like a golden age for female and queer performers”.

Outside of this scene, disrespect for women within live music was common.

Marcus describes memories of “guys in audiences shouting sexist and harassing things to female musicians […] when I was seeing the Breeders once, Kim Deal said, ‘Here’s a song about a divine hammer,’ and a man next to me hollered, ‘No, it’s about a big dick that I’m gonna give you!’”

Of course, one might consider this sort of charming encounter to be a rarity – unfortunately, this was not the case.

During 1999’s Woodstock Festival, a trend developed wherein male audience members would chant “show me your tits” to any female that would appear on stage. In response to this, Sleater-Kinney wrote the song ‘Male Model’, parodying the chant with the lyric “show me your riffs”. Singerguitarist Corin Tucker sported a t-shirt with the new line written across the front.

“Show me your riffs” went on to become a sort of slogan for female empowerment within music. Nonetheless, its sexist origin revealed a dark underbelly to the festival: there were multiple allegations of rape at Woodstock that year.

When asked whether she thinks that Riot-Grrrl was at all born out of a disregard for women as fans of music, Marcus is hesitant to agree: “I’m always very resistant to foregrounding the idea of young wom en [solely] as audience, as specta tors… women have been so firmly associ ated, for so many decades (at least from Beatlemania onward), with the position of the fan”. t I hadn’t yet fully This is an angle tha e that there exists tru s It’ d. ere consid e of female fans. typ reo ste ial soc a for them: fan-girls.

There’s even a word . They’re zealots: nds tre o ont ch lat y The uninformed. and nal tio emo , out dev stereotypes, this is all e lik , sly iou Obv on. But perhaps it a flagrant generalisati an enduring lack of of ve ati orm inf is hority of women as respect for the aut harassment is born ual Sex ic. mus of s fan d) lack of respect. nde fou (un an of out stereotype has, in Perhaps this ‘fan’ the persistence of to ed but tri con t, par sidered acceptable con ng bei ng opi -gr gig e). ibl iss adm st lea at (or

Of course, victims of harassment are not just women. Girls Against are keen to note that they’re “here for all genders”. I wonder to Marcus whether, in today’s context, the RiotGrrrl “girls to the front” sentiment would be considered restrictive. She amends this: “I bet most of [those propagating the “girls to the front” message], if pressed, would say, “Well, yes, I also mean trans people and gender non-conforming people and nonbinary folks to the front as well”.

Like the Riot-Grrrls, Girls Against tribal almost an procured have backing. At the time of writing, Girls Against have an impressive 13.6K Twitter followers and the vocal support of a number of celebrated bands, including Peace, Hinds and The 1975. After hearing of harassment occurring during one of his shows, a wrote Turner Frank musician particularly memorable blog post wherein he invites harassers to “fuck off and never come to my shows again”.

It’s reassuring to see that there are now so many that are willing to speak against this blight to society.

The future looks hopeful, but change needs to happen now. To support the cause and learn more, follow @ girlsagainst on Twitter. It is not hard to imagine a world wherein gig groping is extinct – all that is required is collective recognition.

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Putting yourself out INTERVIEWER JOSHUA OGUNMOKUN IMAGE ?????????

there

Ady Suleiman talks about his upcoming album, his thoughts on ghost writing and his heritage.

MUSIC

IN A PREVIOUS INTERVIEW YOU SAID YOU LIKE YOUR MUSIC TO BE YOURS AND YOU’RE NOT TOO KEEN ON FEATURES APART FROM WHEN ‘WHAT’S THE SCORE’ HAPPENED WITH JOEY BADA$$. ARE THERE ANY FEATURES ON THIS ALBUM? There’s potentially something in the works but I’ve never focused my campaign on features or collaborations. I don’t know why, I’m quite... what would you call it? Possessive of my stuff. I don’t want to just put someone there because they’ve got a name. I feel like if I’ve heard them in my head like ‘yo thingy would kill this’ then I’d reach out… But, saying that, there is one person I’ve got in mind that I would love to get on the record.

“I don’t wanna just put someone there because they’ve got a name” YOU’RE NOT GOING TO GIVE ME A NAME ARE YOU? Nah nah nah nah. It’s going to be bad if it doesn’t come through. Do you know what I mean? Like “ADY SAYS BLAH BLAH IS GETTING ON THE ALBUM”, then it comes out, people chasing, imagining Beyonce and Jay-Z like “you’re gonna be on the Ady Suleiman album?!” Then it turns out to be someone else and they’re like “Who the fuck is that?”

AS YOU GET BIGGER, WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER HANDING OVER SONGWRITING RESPONSIBILITIES TO GHOSTWRITERS LIKE THE LIKES OF DRAKE AND BEYONCE? It’s a tricky question because I think inherently you would, because you’d have so much more workload…. it’s difficult. Writing is not easy in my opinion… it comes and it goes, it’s so random. You can’t wake up at 9 in the morning and then finish at 5 and be like ‘I’ve written a song in that time’. So I could imagine with them being so busy, it’s a lot easier to have people help them with the creative process. On this album I’ve written pretty much all of it myself bar two songs where I think I’ve got to credit someone else. But even then that’s like 20% and I’ve essentially had 23 years to write it. If I had a ghostwriter like

Drake who could just write shit for me and it sounded sick I would be like ‘yeah do it!’ That just saves me a massive ball ache. But at the

“If I had a ghostwriter like Drake who could just write shit for me and it sounded sick I would be like yeah do it!” same time, I’m always going to write. I love writing and to be fair to Drake and Beyoncé, they’re obviously incredible writers as they are. Drake can obviously write bars and I’m sure Beyoncé is more than capable of writing a song, it’s just to do things on demand at such a high level and put such amazing things out, I can understand why people get a team of people to help them out. Would I ever do that? Who knows?

YEAH, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A TRACK ON YOUR ALBUM WITH A GUITAR SOLO SIMILAR TO THE FIRST TRACK ON THE MAGGOT BRAIN EP. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT IT? Yeah I can talk about it, but I don’t want to give too much away. I will tell you it’s probably my favourite song on the record and it’s an emotional song, but yeah I was trying to get this solo…

DID YOU PLAY THE SOLO? No I didn’t play the solo annoyingly… and to be fair not annoyingly because I’m not an amazing lead guitarist, but it was a guy called Eric Appapoulay. He helped me do some of the production. He’s an amazing guitarist and we basically just plugged it into the amp, cranked the amp up and I sang, played the track and got on the mic. I said “this is the kind of vibe” - I started almost screaming, crying like “arrghhh” and I said to him “the main thing is to listen to the music and play exactly how you feel but I want screeches, I want weird sounds I don’t want it to be like a shred or clean cut”. We recorded and he smashed it. Sounds wicked, and then we played it back to some people in the label and management and stuff like that and they said: “Oh have you heard Maggot Brain?” I’d never

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heard of Maggot Brain so they were like “You should go check it out”. I went to listen to it and that song is unbelievable.

SO YOU’RE SIGNED TO SONY - WHAT’S IT LIKE? IS IT A FAMILY FEEL? OR IS IT A CASE OF “I WANT TO DO THIS” AND THEY GIVE YOU THE FUNDS? I’m never going to slag off major labels too much because they’ve done so much for me.

It’s a blessing for me to wake up everyday and be able to do music. [I] look forward to doing music everyday. Also if I have an idea they can make that come to life. So from that side of things, I could never really slag ‘em off. But obviously there’s going to be the politics that anyone’s going to have with any relationship - there’s going to be things that piss you off.

But I probably wouldn’t change it because I’ve been very fortunate.

SO THE ALBUM IS COMING, HOW MANY TRACKS? DO YOU KNOW YET? I don’t know. At the moment you’re looking at 12 tracks. I’ll crack more on there but I just want to make sure everything going out is going to be done right, you know? I don’t want to jam it on there with stuff that people won’t like.

“I’m never gonna slag off major labels too much because they’ve done so much for me.”

SO YOU SAY IT’S 80% DONE, WHEN CAN WE HEAR A RELEASE DATE DO YOU RECKON? Dude I wish I knew the same. It’s all up in the works - the main thing for me now is just to finish the record and start putting music out and if things are popping then the album will come out very soon. If it takes longer for things to kind of heat up then I might not be in such a rush to put it out. For me it’s just important to get it done because as soon as it’s out the way, I can start going on tour, start releasing new music, start going and playing things, sessions, radios, see the world a bit and hopefully build some hype. I mean if I do that then hopefully people will want to hear the record and then it will be done, and I can put it out. Fingers crossed.

Check out the full interview on our website www.impactnottingham.com

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TEXT LARISSA ROWAN

IMAGES ?????????

Body Art - Beauty or Blemish?

To get inked or not to get inked? That is the question. Whether you want to show off your edge or express your love, it is fair to say that tattoos and piercings have slowly grown in popularity over the last decade. But why? What is it about these body modifications that is so desirable?

We explore what it really means to go under the needle.

I am one of a growing number of people that see the appeal of a tattoo, actually want one, but are not yet sure what it is we desire. Talking about my plans with friends and family, I have frequently been asked why I would ever want to get a tattoo in the first place - it seems a lot of people still attach a certain stigma to the body art and will only ‘allow’ it if it is to commemorate a person or place.

For me, the appeal does not lie in the conservation of a memory but rather in the desire to put art on my body that I could proudly look at every single day.

Essentially, it comes down to the same thing: whether you get a tattoo to keep a memory alive, or just for the aesthetic pleasure, they are both an expression of feeling.

And isn’t this what art is at its very core?

The expression of personal feeling and

outlook on the world? Granted, many people who get tattoos pay others to create the artwork for them, but a good tattooist will try to understand the artistic desire of the client. Good tattooists understand that a lot of people come to them to give life to the ideas and feelings in their clients’ heads, rather than just allowing the tattoo artist free reign (although sometimes that can lead to spectacular pieces of art). Whether you have one tattoo on your ankle, or are covered head to foot in them, every tattoo must undergo an artistic process for both the tattooist and the client to be happy and agree with the design.

Tattoos and piercings have been around for centuries, as evident from mummified and preserved skins. The desire to modify our bodies is nothing a new and daring modern society has started, but rather something that is intrinsic to our DNA. I can’t give a conclusive, necessarily logical answer to why I want a tattoo but do I really need one? When have we ever needed an answer to our passion for art?

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INTERVIEWER ISLA MCLACHLAN

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IMAGES ?????????

Writer Girl We talked to Clare Harvey, award winning writer and UoN graduate After studying an MA in Creative Writing here at UoN, Clare Harvey has gone on to publish an award-winning novel, with another on the way. We spoke to Clare about the secrets to her success.

HOW DID YOU BECOME AN AUTHOR? I studied Law at university, but realised halfway through my degree that it wasn’t really my thing. It made sense, though, to finish what I had started. I then married a soldier and had to consider a career which would travel with me. In Bosnia I tried my hand at breakfast waitressing, then became a freelance journalist. There weren’t many stories being sold to the national press in Northern Ireland at the time, so this was a

great opportunity for me too as a freelance journalist. I then moved to Germany and re-trained as an ESOL teacher (teaching English to other languages). I was moving every two years and started my first book just before I had my son.

GUNNER GIRL WAS INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY OF SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU, IS THAT CORRECT? I never met my mother-in-law, but my husband told me that she operated anti-aircraft guns during WW2, and there was a family joke that his mother did more for the war than his father. However, after the war, she lost all contact with her family. This made me wonder what would cause a young woman to join the war, and then have no contact with her family afterwards?

HOW MUCH HISTORICAL RESEARCH DID YOU HAVE TO CARRY OUT, AND DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING UNEXPECTED IN THE PROCESS? I attended a re-enactment day, visited the Imperial War Museum, listened to audio clips, read books and watched films. Surprisingly, fiction material was also useful even though it was inauthentic. It was sad to discover that a lot of what women contributed to the war went unrecognised; often the horrors were hidden under the group sing-a-longs, propaganda and patriotism. There was a grittier ‘underbelly’ to WW2, especially for women suffering illegal abortions and rapes.

CAN YOU GIVE US ANY CLUES AS TO WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE SEQUEL? I felt that one character in Gunner Girl’s journey had not yet ended. It is not a sequel as such, but is out in hardback in Autumn. Gunner Girl is a plait between three fictitious

characters. The English Agent twists real life characters with fictitious characters. Vera Atkins, an agent handler for the Special Operations Executive, blends wartime Paris and London in an exploration of the French section and French resistance.

HAVE YOU ANY ADVICE TO YOUNG WRITERS? You have to love it, be prepared to put in the hours and not give up.

Don’t expect to make lots of money - I’m certainly not rich and that’s even after a generous book deal!

But keep going. It took me 13 years from when I first started writing to get my debut novel published. It is often said that it takes 10,000 hours before you get good at something, so you have to be prepared to put time into writing. Get into the habit of writing as you would cleaning your teeth!

Gunner Girl is out now. Clare’s second novel, The English Agent, will be released on 6th October 2016.

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TEXT + IMAGES LIZZIE ROBINSON

Crafty Corner – The Art of Decoupage rally just gluing e t i napk (L I discovered this craft about a year ago and have been gluing napkins and bits of material to various objects ever since. It’s possible to decoupage anything, with projects ranging from wooden boxes and coffee jars to chocolate boxes. This is such a versatile craft that it can transform whatever you want into whatever you like - and with a wealth of napkin designs online there is no limit to your creations.

ins)

You will need: – An object to decoupage (e.g. boxes, tins, jars, books) – Thin materials to decoupage with (e.g. napkins, newspapers, magazines) – Paint (some crafters use chalk paint to create a vintage effect) – A plate with a jar of water and a paintbrush – Glue – Varnish (optional) – but will help to increase the longevity of whatever item you decoupage – Stanley Knife (optional) – will only be needed if you place material over a joint that needs to be separated when dry

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The step-by-step guide below shows how to create a decoupaged jewellery box decorated with a combination of napkins.

Step One

Step Two

Pick an item to decoupage; here I’ve used a wooden box. You then need to give this a coat of a paint of your choice. Personally, I use cream as a base, as it makes the decoupaged items really stand out. It may take a couple of coats of paint, but this is the longest part so be patient.

Now it’s time to select the material you want to attach to your object. I use napkins because they’re pretty and easy to use with a massive range available online. If you do choose to use napkins, as they are made up of layers, you will need to separate the top layer (which has the image) from the others beneath it and discard the unused layers. When you’ve picked a napkin and a selection of images, use a plate and a dampened paintbrush to gently apply water to the edges of the image and then separate it from the napkin.

Step Three It’s now time to glue the napkin image to the box. I tend not to plan designs beforehand, which has led to some questionable works in the past...

Place the glue using a paintbrush on the object, and then gently lay the napkin image on top of this, smoothing out the image to remove air bubbles. Be careful here as the image can tear or get damaged.

Step Five When you have let everything dry, you can varnish the object. Varnish will not only give the object in question a lovely shine but also protect it from damage.

Step Four Repeat this process as many times as you like. Make sure to let glue dry between applications.

There you have it, the secret way to make boutique-worthy trinkets and gifts. This is not a craft for the impatient, but suitable for even the least artistic.

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Arch Enemies TEXT SANCHARI BANERJEE + NEELAM RAJPUT

Nottingham is as famous for its architecture as it is for its geese. Named “Snottingham” in honour of local Viking chieftain Snot, the initial “S” was dumped for the more agreeable Nottingham.

Since then, the city has morphed into an international cultural hub, coming a long way from its Viking roots. Nottingham’s varied charms highlight the many architectural wonders the city holds - from the disco light-themed façade of Victoria Centre to the classical triumph of the Council House. Walking around the city, one is bound to notice that buildings from different eras stand side-by-side and it’s hard to miss the stark differences between their architecture. We went to explore the weird and wonderful buildings of Nottingham.

The Old and New of the Nottingham Crew

Malt Cross

“A marvel of classical whimsy, its arched roof is held together ‘entirely by glue’”

Located on St James Street off Old Market Square, Malt Cross (also known as The Potters House) is a charity-run bar and eatery hosting regular live music. Built in 1877, its previous incarnations include a mid-Victorian pub and music hall, a draper’s shop, a public house, and a skating rink. A marvel of classical whimsy, its arched roof is held together supposedly ‘entirely by glue’. Architect Edwin Hill states that in the original plans for the building, no stage was featured and the music hall entertainment led to the addition of a high stage during construction in the years 1877 - 1914.

After refurbishment in 2014, the hall’s basement levels and underground caves were transformed into an arts and heritage workshop space. A new gallery and rehearsal room was also created. The Malt Cross is one of the few Victorian music halls that remain in Britain, even though it was closed officially as a working hall by 1911, due to losing its licence and a declining reputation.

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YANG Fujia Building One of the signature buildings of the awardwinning Jubilee Campus, the YANG Fujia Building opened in 2008. Designed by Ken Shuttleworth from the company Make Architects, who also created London’s iconic Gherkin, the building takes inspiration from the past, and is finished in a terracotta design to echo the traditional redbrick of classical Nottingham architecture.

The five-storey building hosts the International Office, Centre for English Language Education and the Institute for Work, Health & Organisations (IWHO). The building is famous among students for its ultramodern spaceship-like design and has garnered many architectural awards.

Trent Building

“Due its iconicity, the main building of both the international campuses in China and Malaysia are modeled on the Trent Building”

The crowning jewel of University Park campus, the Trent Building was built by London architect Morley Horder between 1922 and 1928, in the classical revival architectural style.

The building’s Great Hall has hosted global luminaries such as Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi and Queen Elizabeth II. The building, topped by a clock tower, is built of Portland stone and was opened by King George V and Queen Mary in 1928.

Due its iconicity, the main building of both the international campuses in China and Malaysia are modelled on the Trent Building. The clock tower’s presence on UoN’s logo has turned it into the architectural brand ambassador of the University, and it is one of the most recognised buildings in Nottingham. Indeed, Nottinghamshire author D. H. Lawrence once described the building as looking like a giant “iced cake”. Currently, the building plays host to the Languages and English departments.

Nottingham Contemporary Designed by the East End architects Caruso St John, the art gallery opened in 2009, and is one of the largest contemporary art centres in the UK. The building’s exterior is made of verdigrisscalloped panels in a pattern reminiscent of Nottingham’s lace-making heritage, whilst referencing raw warehouse spaces in the galleries inside. Much of the building is sunk into the sandstone cliff that runs through the city centre, giving it a compact look externally.

The building hosts four galleries, alongside a café-bar and shop. Built on the oldest site in Nottingham, Garners Hill, which once held cave dwellings, a Saxon fort and a medieval town, the building honours its history while leaping into the 21st century. It is considered an architectural innovation due its use of a revolutionary concrete casting technique, which embossed a lace design into the building’s panels.

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TEXT AMY WILCOCKSON

ILLUSTRATIONS INDIA ROSE MEADE

‘Once a rebel, always a rebel’ From the riots at Nottingham Castle, to the legend of the notorious outlaw Robin Hood, Nottingham has always loved a rebel with (and without) a cause. To celebrate all the rebellious anticsa happening during Freshers’ Week, we look back on Nottingham’s own deviants - of the literary variety, that is!

Lord Byron ‘Mad, bad and dangerous to know’, Byron was Nottingham’s original rebel writer. Originally born in London, he later became Baron Byron of Rochdale. Along with the title, Byron also inherited the family’s ancestral home, Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire, whose grandeur only contributed to his excessively opulent nature.

Byron grew up to be possibly the first celebrity, known for his shocking personal life, married and divorced by a wife who accused him of incest and sodomy, relationships with both women and men and possibly even a child born from an alleged affair with his half-sister, Augusta Leigh.

However, Byron used his infamy for profound political causes, taking his seat in the House of Lords in 1812 promoting social reform. His rebellious and somewhat heroic end, fighting with the Greeks for their independence, led to his death at age 36. Due to his status as a literary icon, he

was meant to be buried in Westminster Abbey.

However, it refused him on grounds of his ‘questionable morality’.

After his death, Byron was embalmed. Local legend has it that upon the supposed opening of his coffin by curious workmen in the early 20th century, he was found to be totally naked in the grave, just as he was when alive, apart from a few side effects of a hasty embalming.

His literary works, including Don Juan and Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, often are renowned for their shocking nature, with protagonists who displayed a rebellious streak – much like Byron himself. The Byronic hero, known for his rebellion and passion, greatly influenced other writers of the era, making Byron one of the most famous English poets of all time, and a true literary rebel.

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“Due to his status as a literary icon, he was to be buried in Westminster Abbey. However, it refused him on grounds of his ‘questionable morality’”

D.H. Lawrence Part of a working class family, D.H. Lawrence always professed to be an ‘outsider’. Born in Eastwood, a small mining village on the Nottinghamshire border, Lawrence rebelled against his working class upbringing to become educated, winning a scholarship to Nottingham High School. After a string of failed engagements, extra-marital sex, and affairs with married women, Lawrence finally found happiness with the married wife of one of his professors, Frieda Weekley, with whom he eloped to Germany in 1912.

During the First World War, Lawrence was arrested for spying, and was condemned for the rest of his life for his marriage to the German Frieda.

Lawrence rebelled once again by travelling for the remainder of his life around Europe and America, settling in New Mexico, before dying of complications from tuberculosis in Vence, France in 1930.

During his lifetime, Lawrence was reviled as a pornographic writer, due to his detailed accounts of sex in novels such as Sons and Lovers and most notoriously, Lady Chatterley’s Lover. The R. v Penguin Books Ltd case was the prosecution of Penguin Books for its publication of Lady Chatterley’s Lover under the Obscene Publications Act, due to its depiction of sex between those of differing social classes. The overturning of the case therefore led to the beginning of the UK’s more accepting society, with Lawrence’s novel helping create the world we know today. It is only in recent years that his writing is recognised as some of the most rebellious and revolutionary works of the twentieth century, exploring a wide range of topics including female sexuality.

Alan Sillitoe Also born into a working class family in Lenton Abbey in 1928. A poverty-stricken family and thirst for education led to the creation, like Lawrence, of works based perhaps on his own experiences. This is seen most profoundly in the looming presence of the Raleigh bicycle factory, where Sillitoe worked at the age of 14, in the novel Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. The character of Seaton in this novel, whilst being inherently rebellious, is also reminiscent of Sillitoe himself, tied down to Nottingham.

Alongside a group of other talented writers and playwrights, including John Osborne, Sillitoe was labelled one of the ‘Angry Young Men’ of the 1950s, disillusioned with Britain’s traditional society. Sillitoe was never afraid to speak his mind, as is evident when, upon being invited to tour the Soviet Union in the 1960s, he later openly denounced the USSR’s many human rights violations.

UoN recognised Sillitoe’s great contribution, not only to literature, but to Nottingham, by awarding him an honorary doctorate in 1994. He also campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the ideals of individualism throughout his life. From his birth and rebellious joining of the RAF to the shunning of literary awards, Sillitoe was an original literary rebel, and another proud Nottinghamshire native.

And introducing a forgotten rebel...Lady Mary Wortley Montagu In this male-dominated world of rebels, it seems appropriate to remember Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, recognised to be one of the first feminists. Lady Mary was brought up in some of the finest noble houses in Nottinghamshire, including Thoresby Hall and Holme Pierrepoint Hall, where she used their fine libraries to educate herself. Unlike most women of the period, Lady Mary was determined to be known for her wit and brains rather than beauty.

Defying convention by her travels and ‘eroticised’ Turkish letters, Lady Mary also revolutionised British healthcare by campaigning for the smallpox inoculation after seeing it administered abroad. Lady Mary is further renowned for pushing for the greater role of women in society and the right to education. She lived liberally, falling in love with Count Algarotti whilst married, and defying her husband and society by moving to live with Algarotti in Venice.

Lady Mary never intended to publish her poetry, but it circulated within her social circles. Most rebellious were Lady Mary’s political works, in which she condemned or praised figures of the day, including Alexander Pope, who swiftly became the subject of one of her verses. A Nottinghamshire girl through and through, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu deserves to be recognised as another of Notts’ literary rebels!

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The escapades of an international tournament virgin Fantastic stadiums, passionate Italians and pulsating football: a taster of my experience at UEFA Euro 2016 There is no experience which quite compares to watching sporting events on the biggest stage of all. Aside from a lacklustre French Ligue 2 match between Strasbourg and Rennes, I had never seen a football match outside of the UK before. But watching Italy defeat Spain 2-0 in the second round of UEFA Euro 2016 in front of a vibrant and packed crowd at the Stade de France in Paris was my greatest football experience to date.

Amid the stories of early crowd trouble at the tournament and increased security presence, many fans, including myself, were apprehensive of making the trip to see matches in France. But it was mid-way through a so far enthralling tournament, the home nations were performing so well, (apart from the three lions, yet again), Iceland and the smaller nations were turning heads and France and Germany looked set to meet in the final.

The journey to the ground was nothing short of exciting, with the streets of Saint-Denis lined with flags of the 24 competing nations and filled with supporters of numerous different countries. An almost babylonian symphony of languages wove its way through the city, each corner was more colourful than the next from pockets of

blue, red and yellow for Italy and Spain to the classy sight of beer-bellied England fans in red and white singing ‘don’t take me home’. Ironic because they, inevitably yet sadly, would soon be heading straight back to Blighty along with Woy’s underperforming England boys who faced Iceland later that evening.The Stade de France was a magnificent sight to behold, looming large in the boiling Paris afternoon sun, booming with the noise from the crowd and announcement system. The anticipation inside the stadium was almost tangible and definitely contagious and even the truly shocking sight of seven euros for a non-alcoholic pint could not dampen the mood.

Surrounded by the fans in red/yellow and blue at the very top, directly behind the right hand goal, we took

our places - 7 euros of tea total beer in hand. The Stade de France, an 81,000 capacity all-seater stadium, was filled to the brim on every side all the way around and we were right in the middle, soaking up the electrifying atmosphere. You could feel the mixture of nervousness and excitement as the teams came out. At first it was difficult to believe I was witnessing legends of the game such as Andreas Iniesta and Gianluigi Buffon in the flesh. Both teams and players were a pleasure to watch throughout the ninety minutes in a clash of two European footballing giants.

Spain fans in the tier below and Italy fans on the opposite side were most vocal as the game began at a frantic pace. The then manager of the Italian team, Antonio Conte barked whilst bouncing up and down like a Jack

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Russell Terrier while his opposite number Vicente Del Bosque with his fine moustache sat unmoved in the Spain technical area.

Italy began the game in the driving seat with physicality in defence and pace on the counter attack and piled sustained pressure on a cautious Spain throughout the first half. Many fans experience the joy of watching world class players from the comfort of their armchair on Match of the Day or Sky Sports throughout the season, but nothing compares to watching the world’s greatest footballers live on the biggest stage. I could not believe I was watching rising stars like Graziano Pellè and Emanuele Giaccherini who were trying audacious flicks and bicycle kicks in the game. Midfield maestros Andrés Iniesta and David Silva are also players I have intended

to see for years and were a joy to behold - they were orchestrating play and keeping the ball in typical silky fashion. When Italy took a deserved lead through Giorgio Chiellini’s tapin, the Azzurri fans were in ecstasy on the far side. Roars of “Italia” boomed around the Stade de France while you could hear a pin drop in the tier below where Spain fans were situated.

In the second half the atmosphere grew tense as Spain looked for a route back into the game. Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Iniesta all came close for Del Bosque’s men as the sea of red and yellow beneath us looked dejected bemoaning the succession of missed chances. Their nemesis was Gianluigi Buffon in goal for the Azzurri, the blue and white faithful applauded every save the veteran keeper made as the 39-year-old stood firm. Applause

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turned into delirium when Pelle’s 90th minute half volley made it 2-0 to Italy.

It was ecstasy for the Azzurri whose players and fans went wild jumping all over eachother, Spanish fans made for the exit as Iniesta and Ramos stood staring at the turf.

Spain were not at their best on the day despite the best efforts of the magical Iniesta and Morata. Italy were a well organised competitive outfit who thoroughly deserved victory and marched on to the quarter finals.

It was refreshing to watch such a technical high class football game in the Stade de France from a neutral standpoint. Next stop was England vs Iceland at the Paris fan zone, I shall let you work out for yourself which game was more entertaining!

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Forest and the magpies After years of chaos - both on and off the pitch - Nottingham Forest and Notts County took matters into their own hands with both new managerial and player recruits.

Forest fans have experienced their fair share of disappointment due to underachievement in recent seasons, but there is hope that the new managerial additions of French manager Philippe Montanier and Director of Football Pedro Pereira can guide the Reds to the Premier League this season.

It’s been a managerial merry-go-round for the Nottingham club in the past few years. Since 2010, Forest chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi has appointed seven different managers. More recently, the 2015/16 campaign finished with Nottingham Forest in 16th place with a minus four goal difference. The then manager Dougie Freedman failed to deliver consistent results and was shown

the door in March 2016. Freedman was replaced with interim coach Paul Williams who oversaw four successive defeats at the end of last season.

Both of the new managerial additions have the necessary ambition and experience to take the club to the Premier League. Montanier left his job as boss of Ligue 1 team Rennes in January having previously had stints at Real Sociedad, Boulogne and Valenciennes. His most successful spell came at Sociedad where he guided the La Liga side to a fourth-placed finish and a spot in the Champions League in 2013. Pereira was Director of Football at Serie A outfit Fiorentina last season as well as former CEO at Portuguese team Sporting Braga.

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On his move to the City Ground, Pereira said, “Forest has huge potential and I believe and hope I can contribute significantly in bringing the club back to the Premier League”.

over in January 2016. He lasted a mere 12 matches after a dire run of results.

Mark Cooper fared no better and left the club at the end of the season, with the magpies finishing in 17th place.

“It is a big honour and, at the same time, a great challenge to work with such a historical and important club as Nottingham Forest”, he added.

The pair have wasted no time in the transfer market. Montanier has already signed ex-Everton striker Apostolos Vellios and plans to make “several” more additions to the squad. The Frenchman’s first acquisition could prove to be an astute signing as Vellios will improve an already fearsome attack.

Although they are miles away from recapturing the magic of the Peter Taylor and Brian Clough eras, the new appointments represent the opportunity to build some progressive stability after a stagnant seven years.

Meanwhile, across the River Trent, the scenario at Notts County appears to have followed a similar pattern. Fourteen permanent and caretaker managers

have been at the helm since 2010, which eventually led to them being relegated from League One in 2015. Ricardo Moniz endured a turbulent run at the start of County’s 2015/16 League Two campaign before Jamie Fullarton took

New manager John Sheridan was appointed in May and has completed a flurry of signings since County’s transfer embargo was lifted.

Seven players have joined the Magpies in June alone, including Carl Dickinson, Michael O’Connor and Richard Duffy. Dickinson says he made the move from Vale to County to try and help the club achieve promotion back to League One. Veteran Jonathan Forte has also joined the cluster of former Port Vale players at Meadow Lane, signing on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic. This addition will bolster an already potent attack alongside the experienced Alan Smith and Jon Stead.

Sheridan will need to be wary, however, that these new players, and further additions can gel in time for the start of the new season.

It is evident that both Forest and County have endured a pattern of previous seasons being characterised by mismanagement, instability and a lack of team spirit. Goal potential, young talent and experienced pros are available in abundance at both the Nottingham clubs. It is a case of making these players integrate and play as a team next season to acquire good results and climb back up the Football League ladder and return to where both clubs belong.

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Rushin’ to Russia?

Have the wrong choices been made regarding the location of the most significant global sporting events in recent years?

With the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil and the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia on the horizon, public concern is high regarding whether these nations can deliver when it really matters and avert the issues that have affected these nations for some time.

Brazil is faced with widespread poverty, nationwide crime concerns and the zika virus affecting a vast number of citizens this summer. Meanwhile, Russia was given a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 and a ban from the Olympic Games by the IAAF.

in Marseille which was condoned by leading Russian government officials.

Moreover, the eastern European nation was given a ban from the IAAF to prohibit Russia competing in the Rio Olympic Games after an investigation into doping of Russian athletes.

Although these are two completely different case studies, both scenarios have left the public wondering if these nations are capable of hosting the greatest sporting shows on earth.

The question remains, is it fair that these nations should be awarded the privilege to host the world’s greatest sporting events when they have far more pressing issues to resolve in their countries and the safety of fans and participants could be in danger?

In the build up to the 2014 World Cup and to the Olympics, according to charity Terre des Hommes, some 170,000 Brazilians have lost their homes due to the building or renovation of stadiums and other forms of infrastructure. There have also been unlawful killings initiated by the police.

Brazil hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games this year as well as the Fifa World Cup in 2014, where there were already concerns about crime, gangs and poverty.

Billions of Brazilian dollars were invested in stadium and infrastructure development ahead of the World Cup and Olympics rather than social welfare – an estimated £7.77 billion was spent in 2014.

Brazil also faces a myriad of other social and even environmental issues. Guanabara Bay on Rio de Janeiro’s east side has made international headlines due to its unsanitary waters. Filled with sewage, it is the host site for the Olympics’ sailing and windsurfing events. It is part of Rio’s Olympic aim to desanitise the bay by 80 per cent and they’re currently at 49% of their clean-up goal.

Russia at UEFA Euro 2016 this summer were handed a suspended disqualification for fan violence against English supporters

The International Olympic Committee also has serious worries about overcrowding, crime, and drug trafficking. While street

crime has fallen over the last 30 years, Rio has witnessed a rise in street robberies, reaching levels not seen since 1991.

As well as social and environmental concerns, there is also the health issue posed by the Zika virus. An open letter signed by 150 international doctors, scientists and researchers said the International Olympic Committee and World Health Organisation risk jeopardising public health by going ahead with the Olympics. The number of athletes, coaches and spectators coming to Rio could accelerate the spread of the virus across continents. Rio will host 15,000 athletes, 45,000 volunteers, 93,000 staff and 380,000 visitors for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Authorities believe financial benefits reaped from the Olympic games will outweigh the drawbacks. According to a study by the Institute of Administration (FIA) at the University of São Paulo, the expected impact of the Games in the Brazilian economy could reach $102 billion.

It is calculated that for every US Dollar invested, $3.26 dollars would be generated by 2027.

However, many Brazilians affected by infrastructure changes believe the benefits of the game will serve the minor capitalist interests as opposed to the majority of Rio’s citizens. More wealth distribution

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is surely necessary in order to satisfy the majority of the Brazilian population whose livelihoods have been threatened.

Moreover, the Zika virus concerns, environmental scenario and crime rates represent serious fears for any competitors or spectators coming to Rio this summer.

Personal welfare and health of visitors could be under threat.

While Brazil’s doubts for the Olympics are primarily social, economic and environmental, Russia’s World Cup bid is under scrutiny after their football supporters’ recent antics in France at UEFA Euro 2016, doping scandals in athletics and recent political controversies.

While security was surprisingly incompetent at the Stade Velledrome and in Marseilles city centre at the start of the tournament, 150 Russian football supporters “were well prepared for ultra-rapid, ultraviolent action” according to a Marseilles prosecutor. Some 35 people sustained injuries at the England versus Russia game, 100 Russian hooligans were blacklisted and hundreds of ultra supporters were deported.

The Kremlin appeared to condemn the misbehaviour of its fans at the Euros, but government officials astonishingly praised fans on their actions in Marseilles.

Nationalist MP Igor Lebedev and executive member of the Russian Football Union said: “I don’t see anything terrible about fans fighting...The lads defended the honour of their country”.

This is, of course, the latest in an extensive list of examples of hooliganism along with racist and LGBT abuse that have long been a feature in Russian football. Vladamir Putin and other officials have appeared to play down the racism present in Russian football. But many black footballers including ex-England defender Sol Campbell and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure have warned that black players might boycott the 2018 Fifa World Cup if sanctions are not taken against racism in Russia.

Moreover, Russia were banned from competing in the Olympic Games after an investigation into doping of Russian athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency recently revealed that 736 tests requested from Russian athletes had been declined or cancelled. There were also 52 positive drug tests during the same time.

The doping and hooliganism controversies are made worse in the context of Russia’s political conduct during the past few years. The annexation of Crimea, military intervention in Eastern Ukraine, claims of Fifa corruption and their alleged role in the

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destruction of Malaysia Airlines flight 17 has cast a dark cloud over Russia’s status as future Fifa World Cup hosts.

These features are representative of a growing aggressive foreign policy from Putin and his associates. It seems detrimental to the atmosphere Russia should be cultivating before a major tournament as fans and players from all over the world will come to their country in two years time. Many, however, will be put off coming due to the racist and homophobic discrimination along with the hooliganism that seems to be embedded in Russian culture.

The doping also has culminated in Russia being viewed in a negative light in the IAAF and IOC. It will take a number of years before Russian athletics is regarded as clean again. The behaviour of senior officials also paints a pessimistic picture for the safeguarding of human right concerns at the next World Cup. There remains serious doubts over the Olympic Games and World Cup, it would seem there are far more suitable locations globally where these events should be held. A nervous wait for sports fans and participants alike will now ensue to see if Brazil and Russia can alleviate their problems and prove to be successful host nations.

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TEXT VICTORIA ARAUJO

Let me take you to Rio A Brazilian reports of her experience of watching her country win on home turf at Rio 2016 Every four years the eyes and ears of the world are on the one chosen country: the host of the Olympiads. Few events are as diverse and as hyped as the Olympics and this year, I was lucky enough to score tickets to watch one of the football matches in my hometown, Salvador. I watched eagerly as Brazil won against Denmark in a spectacular 4:0. But with a lot of attention comes negative press. Unfortunately, Brazil received plenty of that – the pool turned green and the infamous kangaroo joke (the mayor of Rio de Janeiro jokingly offered the Australian team a kangaroo for the Olympic village to make up for their safety fears) put a dark shadow on the usually light and happy event.

But what looks like a mess to the press has in fact had many positive aspects.

And we shouldn’t forget that this is the first time in the history of the modern Olympics since 1896 that the games have reached South America. Every continent should be able to experience hosting this celebration and competition.

Really, it was about time it made its way to us! Also, considering that Brazil is dealing with a recession, the Olympics has created hope among the workforce and has contributed to improving the current economic instability with 90,000 temporary jobs created. How far it reached its goal is open to interpretation.

My personal experience in many ways was very positive, as I walked to the stadium in Salvador (some football matches are happening in different cities in Brazil, not only Rio), I realised how organised the event was: there were shuttle buses all around Salvador which stopped fairly close to the arena, the street leading to the station was closed, limiting the access of non-spectators. Entering the stadium, we were scanned and got our bags checked and once inside volunteers guided fans to their seats. The whole process,

as well as police and military forces outside and inside the stadium, made sure everyone was and felt safe.

45,000 people bought tickets to watch this match - it was a sold out event. The best part for me was seeing how cheerful and excited the largely Brazilian crowd was. The atmosphere was vibrant with or without goal chances. Every good pass led to fans applauding and people chanting ‘Brazil!’ in unison, and for each of the four goals the crowd went wild doing a stadium wave. There was nowhere else I would have liked to be that night!

Despite all the positive sides, it is not difficult to understand why many Brazilians were against the Olympics.

The unstable political conditions with president Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment still being in process and the interim president Michael Tenner having to take over, is just one of the reasons. Many Brazilians believe that the Olympics money could have been invested in improving education, for better long term results in living standards. Finally, one of the multibillion dollar projects of investment for the Olympiads meant improving the transport services.

Unfortunately, projects like that often bring potential for corruption and there was an investigation into Brazilian building companies who were accused of having paid bribes to secure the work on the new underground line.

In conclusion, my experience as a spectator and fan at the Olympics was brilliant. I went to a superbly organised event, surrounded by very enthusiastic fans who really love football as a national passion. People who volunteered or worked in the stadium did a great job in making us feel safe and were very enthusiastic. The atmosphere was the best I could have asked for, no doubt about it.

The Team EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF PRINT EDITOR

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